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5.8 Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections
The SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections were developed in
2004 and revised in 2015 to enable the region to strengthen and sustain democracy and good
governance through harmonized electoral normative frameworks. As part of the Good Gov-
ernance and Democracy Tenets, Member States have continued to adhere to their Revised
SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2015) which provides a
normative peer review framework for adherence to standardized best practices in the conduct
of elections and ultimately, the prevention of election-related conflicts.
The main objective of the principles and guidelines is to promote the holding and
observation of democratic elections based on the shared values and principles of democ-
racy, the rule of law and respect for human rights enshrined in the SADC Treaty. Some
notable achievements have been realized by SADC and Member States as a result of these
principles and guidelines, including the establishment of
a Mediation Reference Group which supports initiatives
A Culture of Democracy and Peace Box 5.3 for preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, manage-
ment and mediation.
Soon after the SADC Parliamentary Forum was established in The deployment of SADC Electoral Observation
1998, SADC Heads of State and Government meeting at Missions (SEOMs) supported by the SADC Electoral
Summit in Mozambique in August 1999 expressed satisfaction Advisory Council (SEAC) has contributed to the credi-
with democratic and institutional development in the region, bility of electoral processes among Member States and
popular participation and dialogue. “...On the political the international community, and strengthened the per-
situation, the Summit expressed satisfaction that the SADC ception of the SADC region as a critical role player in
140 region continues to consolidate a culture of democracy, peace and political stability. The SEOM is made up of
peace, respect for human rights and the rule of law. This is election observers from Member States who are assigned
demonstrated, among others, by increased popular to observe the conduct of polls in three phases: the pre-
participation in governance, and dialogue between election period, election day and post-election phases.
governments and stakeholders in the development of policies The objective of the SEAC is to advise SADC Member
and strategies of SADC Member States. The Summit welcomes States on issues pertaining to elections and the enhance-
the creation of institutions to further the integration process ment of democracy and good governance.
such as the SADC Parliamentary Forum, SADC Electoral Forum, Through the appropriate structures and mechan-
SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the recently isms, SADC continues to play a pivotal role in the area
launched SADC Lawyers Association.” of preventive diplomacy, mediation, conflict prevention
and resolution, in a proactive manner.

5.9 Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanism
The Regional Disaster Preparedness and Response Strategy was approved in 2016 and
has contributed to strengthening regional engagement and collaboration in disaster man-
agement and responses. The Defence Sector responded to the recurrence of disasters in
the region by convening a multi-dimensional technical team of experts to review the
SADC Standby Force disaster response mechanism. This was in line with the 39th SADC
Summit directive that tasked the Secretariat with expediting the operationalization of the
SADC Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanism as part of regional measures to
respond to the impact of climate change. The convening of a regional multi-dimensional
technical team resulted in the adoption of the draft SADC Standby Force Contingency
Plan and Standard Operating Procedures to support Disaster Relief and Humanitarian
Operations in collaboration with the Disaster Risk Reduction Component of the Secre-
tariat and Member States.

5.10 Cross Border Cooperation in Policing
SADC regularly facilitates joint policing operations among Member States to support
greater levels of collaboration and effectiveness in tracing and apprehending those involved
in criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking, human trafficking motor vehicle theft,