Two regions, two paths

The research paper compares the differing responses of two regional bodies, ECOWAS and SADC, to political crises in Togo and Zimbabwe in early 2006. It highlights ECOWAS's decisive intervention against a military-backed dynastic succession in Togo and SADC's 'hands-off' approach toward Robert Mugabe's government in Zimbabwe despite violations of electoral codes.

• ECOWAS took a firm stand against the installation of Faure Gnassingbe as president of Togo following the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, in February. This intervention forced the younger Gnassingbe to step down and led to the scheduling of elections for 24 April.
• In contrast to ECOWAS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) maintained a 'hands-off' approach and a policy of 'constructive engagement' regarding Zimbabwe's violation of the region's electoral code and the suppression of civil liberties under President Robert Mugabe.
• The African Union (AU) showed a lack of consensus regarding the two crises, being unanimous in its condemnation of the coup in Togo but lacking a common position against misrule in Zimbabwe.
• Zimbabwe failed to implement several SADC election benchmarks prior to its 31 March elections, including the disbanding of youth militias, providing equal access to state media, auditing the voters' roll, and deploying SADC observers.
• International responses to the two nations were reversed: the EU and US were critical of Zimbabwe but initially seemed prepared to work with the new leadership in Togo.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2006). Two regions, two paths. https://saiia.org.za/research/two-regions-two-paths/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Two regions, two paths. 2006. https://saiia.org.za/research/two-regions-two-paths/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Two regions, two paths |date=30 April 2006 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/two-regions-two-paths/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2006two, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Two regions, two paths}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2006}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/two-regions-two-paths/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }