SADC’s Zimbabwe Dilemme, a microcosm of regional weaknesses

By Shingirai Vambe

As the sun set over the bustling streets of Harare, a sense of unease settled over the city.

The SADC Summit, touted as a symbol of regional unity and cooperation, but for many Zimbabweans, it is a bitter pill to swallow. For most scholars and larger part of citizens, the summit’s is a stark reminder of the regions and people’s indifference to the country’s (Zimbabwe) struggles.

“It’s like they’ve given Mnangagwa a stamp of approval to continue his reign of terror,” they have lamented.

Vendors and private taxi operators have started to feel the heat and pressure from the country’s security agents and law enforcers, being forced to leave the streets and abandon their daily business, a situation likely to result in hunger for many who are largely informal traders.

“SADC’s silence is deafening,” said one critic, his voice shaking with anger, and further added, “They’re complicit in our suffering.”

The crackdown on Zimbabwe citizens, as earlier highlighted in last week’s paper, has already started to send waves to members states, with the Democratic Alliance of South Africa, proposing that the Summit be moved to another venue.

The holding of the summit in Zimbabwe is said to be a stark contrast of the reality on the ground, where poverty, repression, and fear has already gripped the nation, as more and more citizens get arrested, tortured and some without committing any crime but associated to activism and opposition politics.

The SADC member states have faced criticism for not effectively representing the region’s interests and upholding the principles of the bloc. Despite the organization’s goals of promoting economic integration, peace, and security, some argue that the member states have fallen short of these expectations.

The SADC stands at a critical juncture, its reputation tarnished by the worsening human rights crisis in Zimbabwe. As the region’s premier organization, SADC’s inability to effectively address the situation has raised questions about its continued existence.

Zimbabwe, once a beacon of hope for the region, has descended into darkness. The government’s crackdown on dissent has resulted in over 2,000 arbitrary arrests since 2020, 500 reported cases of torture and ill-treatment, 100 forced disappearances and killings, including those of prominent opposition figures.

As a result, expectations are that, the institution ensure its independence, enhance its jurisdiction, and enforce its rulings by strengthening its Tribunal and Empower the SADC Human Rights Commission by Providing adequate resources, independence, and investigative powers.

Scholars commenting on the going on social platform X said SADC should reform its Parliamentary Forum increasing its powers, ensure representation from civil society, and promote democratic governance and establish a Regional Human Rights Mechanism as well as to create a robust system to monitor, investigate, and respond to human rights abuses not excluding holding of free and fair elections, strengthen institutions, and encourage citizen participation.

Opposition member for Mutare Central, name withheld, said SADC must impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights abuses.