Post-conflict development: What South Africa can achieve through SADC

How can South Africa overcome its constraints in SADC, and play a larger role in strengthening its post-conflict reconstruction and development activities?

As levels of intra-state conflict rise in Africa, regional economic communities (RECs) have become increasingly important players in implementing post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD). For sub-Saharan Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is the REC that has primarily dealt with the region’s peace-and-security issues. But, to date, its PCRD activities have been limited.

Are there greater opportunities to implement PCRD through SADC? What are the structural challenges SADC faces? And, as one of the stronger members of this organisation, how can South Africa overcome its constraints in SADC and play a larger role in strengthening its PCRD activities?

About the author

Naomi Kok is a consultant with the Conflict Management and Peacebuilding Division of the ISS. She previously worked in the ISS Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis Division. She holds a BAdmin in international relations and a BA Hons in political science, both from the University of Pretoria. She is currently completing an MPhil in multidisciplinary human rights (focused on transitional justice) at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights