A critical analysis of the role of SADC in maintaining peace and security in Madagascar (2009-2013).

Abstract

SADC evolved from the loose community of post independent Southern African countries that formed the frontline states. The FLS then later changed into the Southern African Development Coordination Committee. The core thrust of this organisation was mainly that of a regional economic community. However, this changed as time went on and the member states become more intertwined and interdependent to include political stability and military security of the region. The result was the promulgation of the Mutual Defence Pact and the organ on Politics, Security and Defence Cooperation. The institutions were designed to be conflict resolution mechanisms that would strengthen the role of SADC in maintaining peace and stability in the region. This role has been tested in various cases such as the DRC, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. This study focused on the case of Madagascar. This is because Madagascar was a unique case as it was not physically and geographically attached to the rest of SADC. The study was guided by the realism theory and the theory of complex inter-dependency. These theories helped to unpack the complexities of interstate regional relations within the context of a regional economic community. Complex inter-dependency helped to explain why it would be in the best interests of SADC member states to stop and contain conflict and instability in a member state. Realism made sense of the various self-serving motivations that may fuel states to actively participate in some interventions and refrain from doing so in other areas. The coup that ousted Ravalomanana by Rajoelina in Madagascar presented a prime opportunity for the utilisation of SADC conflict resolution mechanisms. SADC took over the mediation of the crisis after the African Union and the United Nations gave it the lead role as the REC body responsible for the region. The study was largely a qualitative study and used qualitative research methods in data collection and analysis. Data was gathered from documentary search and key informant interviews. Respondents were sampled using purposive sampling and were picked from the ministry of foreign Affairs, the Zimbabwe military, academia and experts in regional integration and security studies. The study found that though SADC had played an integral role in bringing peace and legitimacy back to Madagascar, there were many flaws in its conflict resolution mechanisms that affected its efficacy in promoting peace and stability in Madagascar. These were largely the division between the doves and hawks, nationalism and the self-interests of member states. SADC also lacks permanent mediation and conflict resolution machinery that makes conflict resolution an ad hoc process. This especially showed itself during the Madagascar crisis where SADC was on the back foot to international and continental bodies such as the U.N and the A.U. also SADC suffers from the overemphasis on the principles of state sovereignty and regime solidarity which leave little room for SADC to take proactive intervention measures. The study encountered difficulties in accessing vital information because some of the respondents did not have a firm grasp of the subject matter while others were uncooperative. Also the political situation in Madagascar is still unfolding, despite their having been elected a new government.