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The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020

Dissertation (MA (Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2024.

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Other Authors: Stiles, Mike
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2025
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Stiles, Mike
author_browse Stiles, Mike
author_facet Stiles, Mike
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dc_rights_str_mv © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MA (Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:41.079Z
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provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2025
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publisher University of Pretoria
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spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100856 The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020 Stiles, Mike u15254098@tuks.co.za Maluleke, Leleti Quincy UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Lesotho Regional security Military intervention Dissertation (MA (Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2024. This study critically evaluates the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in promoting regional security and political stability through its interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Lesotho. It assesses the operations of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation using frameworks such as regional security complexes, collective security, security communities, and security from 1996 to 2020. The study examines the Organ’s military and diplomatic interventions during the First and Second Congo Wars, analysing how the national interests of member states, SADC’s internal contradictions, and commitment (or not) to its protocols influenced the outcomes. A particular focus is placed on the 1998 SADC military intervention, followed by the political and diplomatic dialogue that ensued. This includes the negotiation processes, SADC’s ineffective decision-making mechanisms, and issues related to state fragility demonstrated by the DRC’s limited control over its territory and weakened armed forces. Additionally, the analysis covers Lesotho, identifying patterns of recurring political crises that have required SADC interventions, including Operation Boleas in 1998 and subsequent peacebuilding efforts. The study underscores the complex balance between respecting state sovereignty and advocating for regional interventions to stabilise fragile democracies. These cases reveal significant shortcomings and gaps in SADC's ability to operationalise its principles, including slow response times, national interests dominating over regional interests, and minimal engagement with civil society and human security issues. Ultimately, while SADC has played a significant role in advancing regional peace and stability, its long-term effectiveness will depend on strengthening institutional decision-making processes, fostering greater cohesion among member states, and prioritising a comprehensive human security approach for lasting peace. Addressing its limitations will enable SADC to fulfill its mission of preventing conflicts, promoting good governance, and ensuring sustainable development in Southern Africa. Political Sciences MA (Security Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions 2025-02-13T14:02:04Z 2025-02-13T14:02:04Z 2025-04 2024-11 Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100856 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28407554 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Organ
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Lesotho
Regional security
Military intervention
The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020
title The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020
title_full The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020
title_fullStr The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020
title_full_unstemmed The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020
title_short The effectiveness of the SADC Organ on politics, defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho : 1996 – 2020
title_sort effectiveness of the sadc organ on politics defence and security cooperation in maintaining regional security in the democratic republic of congo and lesotho 1996 2020
topic UCTD
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Organ
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Lesotho
Regional security
Military intervention
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100856
https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28407554