Democratising regional integration in Southern Africa: SADC national committees as platforms for participatory policy-making

SADC National Committees (SNCs) are a statutory implementation organs of SADC (Southern African Development Community) for national input in the formulation of regional policies and the co-ordination and implementation of these programmes at national level. They are participatory multi-stakeholder policy-making and implementation platforms. This paper examines public participation and democratisation in SADC by investigating the SNCs as institutions that support regional participatory policy development. It looks at SNC functionality and explores the stakeholder participation requirement. It also explores the perceptions of government and civil society in this regard.

The paper presents the following research findings:

• SNCs as they exist presently have not functioned as participatory platforms for SADC policy implementation
• There has been minimal success recorded in establishing fully functional SNCs
• The SNCs are government-centric and inept, putting their degree of policy influence into question
• There has been very minimal participation by civil society in SNCs - most CSOs were not aware that there was room for participation in regional decision-making at the national level through the SNC
• Although most SNCs have not been inclusive forums for civil society participation, there have been interactions with certain stakeholders
• Regional parliaments are weak because they do not have parliamentary powers
• Government is viewed as having little interest in engaging civil society
  

The paper makes the following recommendations:

• A regional framework for public participation in SADC should be developed
• There should be a SADC standard for setting up SNC structures, incorporating guidelines, work procedures, and criteria for membership which is linked to the regional framework for public participation
• Regional parliaments should be strengthened and sensitised on the important role they can play in strengthening governance institutions such as SNCs, and bringing the benefits of integration to citizens
• Governments should map out modalities for membership of SNCs, taking into consideration SADC provisions, representation and mode of engagement in other national consultative and participatory forums
• Government should rationalise efforts towards the integration of SNCs into government activities and agenda
• Build awareness and educate regional and national civil society groups on the structure, organisation and operations of SADC
• SNCs should consider the option of operating semi-autonomously
• SNCs should explore alternative funding options from stakeholders such as business organisations.