It is necessary to recognize the inter-relatedness of the SADC
sectors if co-operation and regional integration are to be
achieved. The current system whereby the environment is split
into various sub-components is cause for concern since it may
lead to overlap and duplication. An ideal situation would be a
single sector co-ordinating environmental issues, with technical
committees taking up the role of thematic sectors.
Of particular
importance is that the
protocols should have
effect at the domestic
level. Alternatively
signatories to the
protocols should be
given some time frame
during which they
should amend their
laws so that they are in
line with the provisions
of the protocols.
The current situation for most
of the environment sectors is
problematic because it
emphasizes the host country
rather than the region. Such an
arrangement may result in little
commitment by non-host
countries.
An important feature of the
various environmental sectors
is that each has its own forum
for discussing technical and
policy issues. This results in
limited opportunities for cross-sharing
of ideas between various sectors, and creation of similar
and overlapping structures. Each sector has a technical
committee and a Council of Ministers. It is common that issues
under the same government ministry which implies the council
of ministers would be made up of the same people.
Unfortunately the same people would need to meet in different
forums to agree on the sectoral issues rather than just meeting
once to agree on environmental issues in their broadest sense.
However, the current restructuring exercise
which clusters all environment-related sectors
under Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
takes care of the problem of fragmented sectors.
The sectors to be clustered under this directorate
and based at the SADC headquarters in
Botswana are: Crop Production; Food,
Agriculture and Natural Resources (both of
which were co-ordinated by Zimbabwe);
Agricultural Research; Livestock Production and
Animal Disease Control (Botswana); Inland
Fisheries; Forestry; Wildlife (Malawi); Marine
Fisheries and Resources (Namibia);
Environment and Land Management; and Water
(Lesotho).
The FANR directorate is one of four to be established at the
SADC Secretariat. The process should be complete by
December 2001 according to an implementation plan which
was agreed on by the SADC leaders when they met at an extra-ordinary
summit in Windhoek in March 2001.
Protocols have been one way of fostering regional integration
in southern Africa. While this is a plausible idea, efforts should
also be made in ensuring that there is harmony between the
protocols, and national laws and policies, as well as between
the protocols and global conventions. Of particular importance
is that the protocols should have effect at the domestic level.
Alternatively, signatories to the protocols should be given some
time frame during which they should amend their laws so that
they are in line with the provisions of the protocols.
