5418 ISS Monograph 174.indd - Institute for Security Studies

The security sector in Souhern Africa
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Other sub-structures as may be established by any of the ministerial
committees
Summit: It consists of heads of state and government and is the supreme policymaking
institution of SADC. It meets twice a year and elects a chairperson and
a deputy chairperson on a rotating basis for one year. Summit also elects the
chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Organ.
Chairperson of the Organ: The chairperson, in consultation with the
Troika, is responsible for overall policy direction and for the achievements and
objectives of the Organ during the one-year tenure.
Troika: The incoming, current and outgoing chairpersons of the Organ
form the Troika. It functions as a steering committee.
Ministerial Committee (MCO): It consists of the ministers of foreign affairs,
defence, public security and state security from each of the state parties. The
MCO is responsible for coordinating the work of the Organ and its structures.
It reports to the chairperson. Ministers from the same country as the chairperson
chair the MCO, ISPDC and ISDSC for one year on rotation. The committee
convenes at least once a year.
Inter-state Politics and Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC): It consists of the
ministers of foreign affairs from each of the state parties. The ISPDC reports to
the MCO. It meets at least once a year.
Inter-state Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC): It consists of ministers
of defence, public security and state security. It deals with the objectives of
the Organ as they relate to defence and security. It reports to the MCO. It meets
at least once a year.
Sub-committees: They consist of senior officials and deal with matters pertaining
to their sector between ISPDC and ISDSC meetings. 12
The integration of the Organ into the main SADC structure was a marked
improvement from the previous Frontline States’ arrangements in terms of
the governance of this security sector. It reduced the possibility of contentious
deployment of troops in the region and created more transparency
of the work of the Organ. Though knowledge of issues and decisions taken
by the Organ is not readily accessible to the public, except in the form of a
communiqué, the Organ is required to obtain approval for its engagements
from Summit.
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