SADC Unveils New Mechanism for Non-State Actor Engagement in Region
The initiative's rollout is expected to begin after the upcoming SADC summit, with stakeholders urged to engage through existing umbrella organizations for maximum impact.
HARARE, Zimbabwe— The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has introduced a new framework to formalize engagement with non-state actors, marking a significant shift in regional cooperation, writes Winston Mwale.
The mechanism, presented during the 4th Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030, aims to streamline communication between SADC and various stakeholders, including NGOs, businesses, and civil society organizations.
Monamesti Sokwe, representing the Southern African Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (SAf-CNGO), outlined the initiative's key features.
"This mechanism is here to take the subject to the people, to enable engagement between SADC and non-state actors to strengthen and enhance our partnership," Sokwe said.
The new system, nearly a decade in the making, addresses longstanding issues of ad hoc engagement and lack of clear guidelines.
It introduces an annual non-state actor forum, cluster-based engagement, and an accreditation process.
"Moving forward, we should be able to identify our role as non-state actors, including in the summit processes," Sokwe explained, emphasizing the mechanism's potential to increase transparency and participation.
SADC has allocated resources for a dedicated office to manage the initiative, with plans for a comprehensive mapping of regional non-state actors.
Critics argue the mechanism may favor larger, more established organizations.
However, Sokwe stressed the importance of collective representation.
"We need to do something that best represents us. We don't have time to create smaller pockets for special interest groups," he said.
The initiative's rollout is expected to begin after the upcoming SADC summit, with stakeholders urged to engage through existing umbrella organizations for maximum impact.