Socially accountable management and use of available resources are critical to meeting the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030 (RISDP), a Non-state Actors (NSA) dialogue in Harare has heard.
This came to the fore today at the dialogue running in Harare from 14 to 15 August 2024 that is being driven by ActionAid, the Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Alliance, and all the 16 co-conveners of the RISDP NSA Dialogue.
“Social accountability is at the heart of good and effective governance, and the provision of gender-responsive public services – at all levels. Civil society understanding and participation in planning, budgeting, and oversight processes is also critically important at all levels – locally, nationally, and internationally. Recognising the linkages between each makes our work even more impactful and relevant.
“The theme of the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Promoting innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an industrialised SADC, highlights the need to generate and nurture innovative approaches to advance sustainable growth in the region. Our dialogue has built on this theme in crafting its own: Strengthening social accountability in public resource management for sustained economic growth and development in Southern Africa,” said Joy Mabenge, the ActionAid Zimbabwe Executive Director.
He said accountable public resource management is vital to ensuring consistent support for research and development in all industries, including the social sectors. On the other hand, accessible, inclusive, and high-quality education, healthcare, and agricultural services support the creation and growth of livelihoods and entrepreneurial activities among the people of the SADC region, reducing poverty and uplifting communities and nations.
The upcoming mid-term review of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) (2020 to 2030) provides an opportunity for SADC and its member states to conduct an inclusive and transparent assessment of the implementation of the strategy and whether it is on track to meeting its objectives, and where necessary, to realign its priorities and reallocate or increase resources.
The generation of sufficient financial resources, as well as the socially accountable management and use of available resources, is also critical to meeting RISDP’s goals. While plans to finance the RISDP 2020-2030 include the creation of the Regional Development Fund (RDF), it has yet to be operationalised.
“We are also faced with a deepening public debt, triggered by repeated climate-change-induced disasters – such as the El Nino-induced drought currently affecting Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. This, alongside sustained inflation in fuel, fertiliser, and food prices following the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing war in Ukraine, has led many of our countries to reprioritise budgets away from vital social services and even rely further on international aid and external credit,” Mabenge said.
The gradual transformation of the SADC PF into the SADC Parliament, following the recent 12 required member states signing the agreement to amend the SADC Treaty, offers a promise to gradually increase accountability at the regional level.
He appreciated the efforts of the SADC Secretariat in providing even greater space for civil society in policy and decision-making processes and applaud the approval of the SADC NSA Engagement Mechanism.
Reflecting on the SADC RISDP (2020-2030) implementation progress, Rangarirai Machemedze, the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) Coordinator alluded to some opportunities and challenges within the initiative.
“Leveraging on the youth dividend, gender equality, natural resource management and the stable and peaceful environment, SADC can strengthen regional institutions and frameworks and focus on priority areas.
“There is a need to conduct joint conflict analysis and planning to coordinate peace, security, and development efforts. e.g. maritime security; transnational organised crime, migration, terrorism. Another opportunity is to develop a SADC Trade in Services Strategy to improve services competitiveness; and take advantage of the TFTA and AfCFTA opportunities,” Machemedze said.
He added that the development of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, regular progress reporting, and high-level political engagement to ensure accountability and maintain momentum in the regional integration process are key to the region’s development.
Lerato Moleko, the SADC Senior Programme Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Unit, said non-state actors play a vital role in supporting and monitoring the implementation of the RISDP through various platforms and more importantly, through direct interaction with the SADC Citizens.
“Your organizations bring valuable expertise, grassroots connections, and the ability to hold governments accountable. This dialogue provides an important platform for enhancing your understanding of the RISDP and for you to contribute your insights on its progress,” Moleko said.
Despite the achievements, she said challenges remain, particularly in areas such as health financing, youth employment, and climate change adaptation.
“More pressing is the need to operationalize the Regional Development Fund and Agricultural Development Fund. Your input during this dialogue will be crucial as we work to accelerate progress in these areas.
“The SADC Secretariat is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with Non-State Actors. We value your role in amplifying citizens’ voices, promoting accountability, and supporting implementation on the ground,” Moleko added.