REGIONAL INDIC ATIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PL AN 1 CHAPTER 1 The SADC framework for integration The SADC framework for integration This chapter analyses the Southern African Development the political liberation of the region. From 1975 when they Community’s (SADC) framework for integration including were formally constituted, the Frontline States met its vision and mission. It introduces SADC in its historical regularly to co-ordinate efforts, resources and strategies, context, highlighting the reasons for its formation, how it with regard to the National Liberation Movements of has evolved over time and the rationale for formulating the Southern Africa that were fighting against colonialism, Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). racism and white minority-rule. Later, this initiative was extended to address military attacks and destabilization of majority-ruled states by apartheid South Africa. The 1.1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT intensification of the struggle on both fronts strengthened bonds of solidarity and the need for collective action. Most of the countries of Southern Africa ultimately 1.1.1 The Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC) achieved political independence, but against a background Regional co-operation and integration in Southern Africa Thus, the leaders saw the promotion of economic and owes its origin to historical, economic, political, social social development through co-operation and integration and cultural factors that have created strong bonds of as the next logical step after political independence. of mass poverty, economic backwardness and the threat of powerful and hostile white minority-ruled neighbours. solidarity and unity among the peoples of Southern Accordingly, based on the outcome of the July 1979 Africa. These factors have contributed to the formation of Arusha Conference which agreed on a strategy to launch a distinct Southern African personality and identity that the underpins political and economic co-operation. Conference (SADCC), the then nine majority-ruled states of Southern African Development Coordination The formal establishment of structures to promote Southern Africa – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, regional co-operation and integration started as an Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe initiative of the Frontline States, the original members of – met at Summit level in April 1980 in Lusaka, Zambia and which were Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania declared their commitment to pursue policies aimed at and Zambia. This initiative was directed initially towards economic liberation on the basis of a sustainable inte-