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3.2 Institutional Reforms
Following the transformation of the regional organisation from a Coordination Conference
to a Community in 1992, it became necessary to review the institutional arrangements
and structures of SADC. The decision to reform the institutional arrangements was taken
in 1998 when Summit agreed to establish policy guidelines to facilitate the speedy com-
pletion of the transformation into a dynamic development Community, through the Re-
view and Rationalisation of the SADC Programme of Action. It was observed that the
institutional arrangements and structure used since the formation of the organisation in
1980 had a number of challenges and shortcomings, including:
● Unclear lines of authority and accountability, resulting in poor communication, coordina-
tion and performance as well as duplication of efforts and resources among the main actors
in the decentralized structures such as the SCUs, Commissions, the Secretariat, Sectoral
Contact Points and National Contact Points;
● Disparities in, and the often inadequate provision of resources and staffing by Member
States leading to inequitable distribution of responsibilities and obligations;
● Differences in management and administrative procedures and rules, varying standards,
qualifications and performance criteria for staff involved in the management of regional
programmes;
● Proliferation of meetings and an increase in associated costs due to the rapid increase of
sectors and, therefore, a plethora of priorities and activities despite the limited resources
available; and
● Inability of the Secretariat to execute its mandate as provided for in the Treaty, especially
86 that of undertaking strategic planning and management.
It was, therefore, agreed during an Extraordinary Summit held in Windhoek, Nami-
bia in March 2001 to embark on institutional reforms, taking into account the issue of
ownership, the need for stakeholder participation, financial sustainability and cost effec-
tiveness, and the balance between efficiency and effectiveness. The 2001 Summit
adopted the Report on the Review of the Operations of SADC Institutions including
the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, and agreed to amend the SADC Treaty
accordingly.
Member States emphasized that this transformation should be gradual and properly
managed. They stressed that the realignment of SADC institutions should be consistent
with the Common Agenda and strategic priorities to meet the challenges and opportunities
of the 21th century. The Common Agenda adopted at the same Summit prioritized the
promotion of sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic devel-
opment; promotion of common politics values; and the consolidation and maintenance
of democracy, peace and security.
The institutional reforms which were given legal effect through the Treaty Amend-
ment (2001) resulted in nine principal institutions and organs:
✦ Summit of Heads of State and Government;
✦ Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation;
✦ Troika;
✦ Council of Ministers;
✦ Integrated Committee of Ministers;
✦ Standing Committee of Officials;
✦ SADC National Committees;
✦ Tribunal; and
✦ Secretariat.
The reforms saw the introduction of new institutional structures being the Troika;
the Integrated Committee of Ministers; SADC National Committees, and the Tribunal,
while the Commissions and Sector Coordinating Units were phased out, and outstanding
issues on the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security were finalized.