Pax Africa and SADC host human security conference

The specific objectives of the conference were:
i) To develop and commence implementation of a plan of action of civil society support for regional human security priorities, with specific tasks, actors and time frames, that would optimise use of available resources;
ii) To foster cooperation between South Africa civil society organisations (CSOs) and the SADC Secretariat, particularly the Directorate for Politics, Defence and Security, in order to accelerate progress toward regional human security objectives;
iii) To develop and strengthen structures and mechanisms for regional CSO cooperation to ensure sustainability and to monitor and report on progress toward regional objectives.

Colonel Tanki Mothae, the SADC Director for Politics, Defence and Security, gave a presentation on the history of SADC involvement in peace and security issues and provided an overview of the evolution of SADC structures for engagement in peace and security, especially the Organ for Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDSC). He also provided an overview of the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO), and called upon civil society to provide support and assistance to his Directorate in achieving regional objectives.

Participants broke into groups according to the sectors of the SIPO. In the breakaway groups, delegates discussed the challenges and priorities within their respective sectors and contributed to a draft action plan outlining the areas and types of support to be provided to SADC. Participants were encouraged to indicate specific objectives, activities, deliverables and timeframes in the action plans.

In discussing the way forward, participants agreed that the draft action plan should be circulated for further input from participants as well as from other CSOs who were not present at the meeting. In addition to proposing specific types of support, CSOs will be invited to make suggestions with regard to: what form future engagement with the SADC Secretariat should take, and what kind of framework should be used to monitor progress on implementation of the action plans.