Can SADC stop the region’s financial bleeding?

As another SADC summit looms, human rights defenders in the region, along with their allies around the world, can be forgiven for asking ‘what is the point?’ In a Daily Maverick analysis, Sunit Bagree notes that SADC’s performance on upholding civil and political rights is nothing other than miserable. ‘When the intergovernmental organisation has engaged with these rights, for example in Lesotho and the DRC, its approach has been weak and confused. In other countries beset by oppression, such as eSwatini and Zimbabwe, the organisation has not even bothered. Sadly, President Cyril Ramaphosa has not said or done anything to suggest that he is uncomfortable with this prevailing amoral mindset. Yet it remains unclear whether or not he and other SADC leaders are prepared to work more effectively on economic and social rights.’ Bagree argues that SADC governments can undoubtedly do more to realise the economic and social rights of their citizens. ‘But a key factor behind the lack of economic and social rights fulfilment in the region is the lack of resources at the disposal of SADC member states. And as a new report by Action for Southern Africa (Actsa) illustrates, rich countries are presiding over an international economic system that results in massive financial outflows from the region. Actsa estimates that trade-related illicit outflows from southern Africa amount to at least $8.8bn per year.'