In this paper, we look at the role the SADC plays in democratic governance, zooming in on how civil society engages with the bloc and how such engagement can be strengthened, including through digital technologies. It complements case studies focusing on EAC and SADC. 

We find that an additional non-state actors engagement mechanism, which has been under discussion for a while, could enhance civil society’s ability to cooperate with SADC, but it is unclear if and when the framework will be adopted. This leaves civil society to engage on an ad hoc basis, hindered by a lack of information on the community’s agenda, and facing questions of its own legitimacy and ability to structure itself. 

A new framework on digital technology and some innovations may help to connect the regional and grassroots levels. But they are unlikely to bridge the gap between SADC and civil society without an overhaul of structures and changes in perceptions and practices at the level of the bloc, its member states and civil society itself. Read more here Photo by Iwaria