SADC Non-State Actors want active participation in BR Review Process

SADC based Non State Actors will soon convene to review their role in perfecting the bloc's position and develop concrete strategies and plans for effective regional integration.

Malawian non state actors captured during 2023 World Environment Day celebrations in the commercial capital of Blantyre (Photo : Civil Society Groups)

LILONGWE, Malawi (Planet Defence) - Non – State Actors (NSA) operating in regional economic bloc Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are planning a session to introduce background of their involvement collectively and individually, on enhancing their involvement in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development (CAADP) Biennial Review (BR) process.  

African Union BR report is a fundamental instrument that shows outcomes of different agricultural efforts and interventions on the continent, to enable countries track, measure and report progress achieved against agreed result areas.

NSA kick-started a loose network, which will be reviewing their experiences in the past CAADP BR processes and deliberate ways of increasing their participation. They will in the process develope concrete strategies and plans for effective integration of NSA perspectives.

They further plan to agree to input into the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and next steps that will guide contribution and visibility to the entire CAADP process.

“One of NSA objectives is to provide joint recommendations to SADC, African Union Commission and other CAADP stakeholders on how to best integrate NSA’s in the CAADP BR process at country and regional,” says Chikondi Chabvuta, CARE International Regional Advocacy Advisor for Southern Africa in an email correspondence.

Adoption of 2014 Malabo declaration on accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods by African Heads of States and Government brought a new wave of optimism towards Africa’s agriculture and economy.

The declaration reaffirmed the commitments of 2003 Maputo declaration and adopted additional commitments and targets with keen emphasis on implementation, results and impacts.

As a result AUC has been strengthening engagement with regional economic bodies, including SADC to ensure improved participation in CAADP BR process to track and report their performance towards achieving the Malabo targets.

However, NSA in southern Africa have lamented that SADC does not identify them as key to contribute to the bloc’s collective process. They are therefore left out of this key process.

According to Chabvuta SADC’s – NSA are keen in the involvement and participation of ongoing CAADP BR four process and other previous reviews. They will also ensure there is constructive involvement in subsequent CAADP BR processes as a grouping that is recognized by the African Union and the SADC secretariat.