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Key Text Hawks, Doves or Penguins? A Critical Review of the SADC Military Intervention in the DRC

Author: N Ngoma
Date: 2004
Size: 17 pages (98 KB)

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Summary

The military intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1998 by only certain member states of the South African Development Community (SADC) raised questions about the state of this grouping. What has been the impact of the varying responses on sub-regional cohesion and stability? This paper by the Institute of Security Studies examines the decisions taken by important actors in SADC and analyses the implications for the survival and future of SADC.

The policies of the "SADC Alliance" (Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe) on the one hand, differed from those of South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. While the "Alliance" undertook military action, others mediated or stayed neutral. Different responses by different member states of SADC are analysed through statements by government leaders, governments' own actions, and the views of non-governmental actors.

Contrary to the popular opinion, cohesion in the sub-regional grouping had not been seriously compromised. SADC's reaction to the responses of different states accommodated their different stances. Later initiatives by SADC member states also testify to the survival and effectiveness of this regional body.

  • Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe were congratulated for acting well on behalf of SADC. In addition, SADC also assigned Zambia with leadership of peace initiatives, thereby also pursuing a negotiated path preferred by South Africa.
  • The South African-led push towards a regional agreement on politics, defence and security creates a homogeneous approach to issues of conflict. The move is also indicative of the presence of sub-regional cohesion.
  • Establishment of an ad hoc committee comprising Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to help resolve the political and security problems in Zimbabwe is an indicator of the overcoming of differences in the region.
  • Adoption of a Declaration of Fundamental Principles by the Congolese Parties and the inter-Congolese Dialogue in 2001 signals the urgency with which SADC responded to the political changes in the DRC.

Future interventions by SADC will be likely as long as various stakeholders in DRC disagree on the establishment of a government acceptable to everyone. The future of SADC will depend on the development of the situation in DRC, as well as on the international engagement with the sub-regional grouping.

  • SADC is now the major partner in the search for sustained peace in the region. The United Nations will have to engage more intensely this influential regional player.
  • Survival of SADC independence is likely to depend on South Africa, a state with the industrial, commercial and financial capacity and a liberal political system respected by Western states.
  • Continuous pressure from the international community on Zimbabwe, especially the United States and Britain, may create further political turbulence and destabilisation of SADC.
  • The future of SADC will continue to depend on the extent of donor funds.

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Source: Ngoma, N., 2004, ‘Hawks, Doves or Penguins? A Critical Review of the SADC Military Intervention in the DRC’, Institute for Security Studies Occasional Paper 88, Pretoria
Author: Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Pretoria, http://www.iss.co.za


 
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