An Analysis of the Southern Africa Development Community's Organ for Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation in Conflict Resolution in Intrastate Conflicts: A case of Zimba

Abstract

The study sought to investigate whether the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was successful or failed in resolving the Zimbabwean crisis and whether in the end it brought finality to the politico-economic crises. In this study 44 respondents were used as research subjects. They comprised of 24 from political parties, 5 from civil society, 5 diplomats and 10 political analysts and academics. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. The qualitative method was employed to provide and analyse information. It was the most appropriate in finding out views and feelings of Zimbabweans on the crises. This study has revealed that the crisis begun in the late 1990s and was catalyzed by continual bad economic and political governance by the Zimbabwean ZANU-PF government as well as the MDC that lobbied for the West to introduce sanctions on Harare. The researcher came to the conclusion that though the SADC made some progress in resolving the conflict it has failed to completely resolve and put finality to the Zimbabwean conflict. The researcher therefore recommends that the SADC OPDSC and Summit of Heads of State must adopt strategies that will enable the decisions that they make to be binding on SADC member countries if ever it is to be successful in completely resolving and eradicating intrastate conflicts in the region for commands without swords or embedded in law is not binding. The SADC must also ensure that they choose mediators who are neutral rather than choosing those who sympathize with one of the contesting parties to the conflict like what the South African mediator did.