| dc.description.abstract | The research observes the absences of a regional security strategy in SADC. The broader understanding of security makes a regional security strategy essential for faster regional integration as it addresses the objectives and concerns of regional integration. In the research, existing SADC security arrangements and their support to the regional integration effort were explored. This research argues that the survival and faster integration of SADC calls for the implementation of a well formulated regional security strategy.
The research used the framework of analysis that views SADC as a security complex where the relationship of states is so. close that the security challenges in one state has implications on other states or the region because of proximity and interdependence. An effective and functional regional security strategy for SADC has to be informed by the national security strategies of member states and threats to the region. A broader non-militaristic understanding of security is essential in the process. The national security strategies also need to be developed with the regional dynamics and regional security strategy in mind.
The research was based on library books, journals, internet and official SADC and member states publications for its secondary data. Primary data on the current structures, security and integration arrangements, and procedures of developing same was collected using questionnaires and interviews with SADC secretariat and officials of member states.
The research concluded that the two essential strategies (SIPO and RISDP) for the two main SADC branches, the OPDSC and the Council of Ministers, were not well co-ordinated and did not effectively complement each other due to the lack of a single strategy. The absence of a regional security strategy in SADC was found to be retarding the integration process. A proposed regional security strategy was formulated from threats and common interests of specific member states. | en_US |
