S O U T H E R N 2 A F R I C A N grated development of their economies. The Summit adopted the Lusaka Declaration entitled D E V E L O P M E N T C O M M U N I T Y 1.1.2 From SADCC to SADC 'Southern Africa: Toward Economic Liberation' as well as By the late 1980s, it became apparent that SADCC needed a Programme of Action covering areas of Transport and strengthening. The attainment of independence and Communications, Food and Agriculture, Industry, Man- sovereign nationhood by Namibia in 1990 formally ended power Development and Energy. The aims of SADCC were the struggle against colonialism in the region. In some of to reduce economic dependence particularly, but not only, the other countries, concerted efforts to end internal on South Africa; to forge links to create genuine and conflicts and civil strife were bearing positive results. In equitable regional integration; to mobilize resources for South Africa, the process was underway to end the implementing national and interstate policies; and to take inhuman system of apartheid, and to bring about a concerted action to secure international co-operation constitutional dispensation acceptable to all the people within the framework of the strategy of economic of South Africa. These developments took the region out liberation. In pursuance of these objectives, the of an era of conflict and confrontation, to one of peace, organization focused on functional co-operation in key security and stability, which remain prerequisites for sectors through a Programme of Action known as the cooperation and development. SADCC Programme of Action (SPA). Above all, SADCC On the African continent, efforts continued, mainly reflected the spirit of Pan Africanism and the latter's under the auspices of the Organisation of African Unity preoccupation with the need for regional integration as (OAU) to promote closer economic relations. In 1991, some the means towards African continental unity and the of the OAU Heads of State and Government signed the recovery of African dignity and status in global affairs. Abuja Treaty These principles were enshrined in both the OAU Treaty of Community. Like the 1980 Lagos Plan of Action, the Treaty 1963 and the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980 and the Final made Regional Economic Communities (RECs) the building Act of Lagos. blocks for the continental community. In light of this At the regional level, the main SADCC institutions were the Summit of Heads of State or Government which had responsibility for overall policy direction and control of the functions of the Conference; the Council of Ministers, which reported to the Summit, oversaw the work and development of SADCC and approved SADCC policies; the Standing Committee of Officials which was a technical advisory committee and advised the Council; and the Secretariat which was responsible for the coordination and management of SADCC programmes. For the purpose of coordinating the SPA and enhancing ownership, a decentralized structure was establishing the African Economic development, the SADC Heads of State or Government viewed their efforts at regional integration in Southern Africa as part of this continental effort. More recently, the African Union, the successor to the OAU, has reaffirmed its commitment to the African Economic Community. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) has designated RECs as implementing agencies for its programme. On the global scene, fundamental and far-reaching political and economic changes were taking place. The cold war had ended, and world affairs were increasingly being managed on the basis of consultation and con- adopted under which different sectors were allocated to sensus, rather than confrontation and competition. each Member State. This approach underscored the need Integration was fast becoming a global trend. Countries in to build collective self-reliance, mutual trust and different regions of the globe were organising themselves confidence and it was on this basis that the Organisation into closer economic and political entities. This movement evolved over the years. The number of areas of co- towards stronger regional blocs was expected to operation increased, as the number of Member States transform the world, both economically and politically, as rose, since each was allocated at least one sector to co- firms within these economic blocs would benefit from ordinate, but also in response to new challenges like HIV economies of scale provided by large markets, to become and AIDS. As the areas of co-operation increased, the SPA competitive both internally and internationally. For firms expanded. in Southern Africa not to remain behind, it became