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This research paper by Hussein Solomon of the Institute for Security Studies analyses the transition from the 1995 Draft Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons to the 1997 Draft Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The author argues that the 1995 protocol was overly idealistic and failed to account for extreme economic disparities and security risks, whereas the 1997 protocol adopts a more realistic, incremental approach focused on bilateral agreements and the gradual elimination of obstacles.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the early development of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. It argues that the Organ is currently underdeveloped, operating primarily at the summit level and through the military-focused Inter-State Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC), while lacking mechanisms for human rights and democratic governance. The authors propose a comprehensive structural overhaul, including the creation of a Political Co-operation Council, an Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, and a permanent multinational secretariat to move the Organ from a reactive 'fire brigade' role to a proactive regional security framework.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the intersection of economic growth and climate change, specifically focusing on the needs of developing countries. It argues for 'climate compatible development'—a strategy that minimizes climate harm while maximizing human development opportunities. The document outlines ten propositions, asserting that while growth is an imperative for poverty reduction in poor nations, it must be transitioned toward low-carbon models to be sustainable. It emphasizes the need for national strategies, the leveraging of private finance, and the creation of political consensus to manage the disruptive shifts in global production and markets caused by climate policy.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides detailed comments on the proposed National Water Amendment Bill, focusing on the protection of water source areas, the integration of climate change resilience, and the strengthening of public participation and enforcement mechanisms in water licensing.

This document is a legal affidavit and supporting evidence filed by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) on behalf of a coalition of environmental organisations. It seeks the review and setting aside of decisions made by a Municipal Planning Tribunal and a Municipal Appeal Authority regarding a land-use change application by Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd for the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine. The applicants argue that the decisions were irrational, procedurally unfair, and failed to consider the strategic environmental and hydrological significance of the area, specifically its location within a Strategic Water Source Area (SWSA) and the Mabola Protected Environment.

This report identifies and maps National Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) across South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland, defining them as areas that supply a disproportionate amount of mean annual runoff relative to their land area. The document evaluates the ecological condition, protection levels, and threats to these areas—including land cover modification and mining—while also providing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Yzermyn Underground Coal Mine in Mpumalanga.

This document is an affidavit by David Carlyle Le Maitre, a principal researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), submitted to the Water Tribunal. It provides expert testimony on the identification and importance of Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) in South Africa, specifically addressing the impact of the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine on the Enkangala Drakensberg surface water SWSA.

This guide by the Centre for Environmental Rights outlines the critical importance of South Africa's 22 water source areas (WSAs), which provide 50% of the country's surface run-off despite covering only 8% of the land. The document details the threats facing these areas—including mining, agriculture, and climate change—and proposes a 'legal toolbox' of statutory mechanisms to protect these essential ecological infrastructures.

The Healthy NDC Scorecard is a visual tool designed to evaluate whether national climate commitments (NDCs) are sufficient to protect human health, measuring them against the Paris Agreement and science-aligned targets.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the social and environmental consequences of privatizing water and biodiversity across 34 global case studies. It argues that neoliberal policies promoted by international financial institutions (IFIs) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) prioritize corporate profit over human rights and ecological sustainability, disproportionately marginalizing the poor and Indigenous Peoples.

This report, Chapter Four of a broader study by the Macroeconomic and Financial Management Institute of Eastern and Southern Africa (MEFMI) supported by FSD Africa, evaluates the governance and operational risk management frameworks for public debt in 12 MEFMI member countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines legal frameworks, managerial structures, debt strategies, reporting, and auditing, highlighting a general lack of comprehensive business continuity plans and procedure manuals, which increased operational risks during the shift to remote work.

This executive summary details a study on sovereign debt management in the MEFMI region during the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that the crisis led to sharp GDP contractions and a significant increase in the average debt-to-GDP ratio (rising to 70.6% in 2020). Countries responded with policy rate cuts, tax exemptions, and increased reliance on Local Currency Bond Markets (LCBMs). While international initiatives like the G20's DSSI provided critical relief, the pandemic exposed a lack of business continuity planning and operational risk management in debt offices.

This fact sheet by GreenCape outlines the European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy, which aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050 by transforming food sustainability, environmental standards, and health. It details specific 2030 targets for pesticide and fertiliser reduction and organic farming, while highlighting the potential impact on SADC EPA countries, particularly South Africa, which holds a significant share of agricultural exports to the EU.

This report analyzes the implications of the European Green Deal (EGD) for South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and broader trade. It examines the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Farm to Fork strategy, and the Circular Economy Action Plan, identifying significant risks in the automotive, mining, and agricultural sectors while highlighting potential export opportunities for environmental goods.

This report analyzes the policy responses of Southern African nations to the global food price increases of 2006–2008. It argues that the region exists in a state of permanent food insecurity, making the global crisis a "spike" in a long-term trend rather than an isolated event. The report emphasizes the role of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) as the primary framework for coordinated regional responses, focusing on long-term structural improvements over short-term reactionary measures.

This report provides development forecasts for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) up to 2043. It compares a 'Current Path' trajectory—based on existing policies—against various sectoral scenarios and a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario, analyzing impacts on GDP, poverty, demographics, and carbon emissions.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a development forecast for Eswatini up to 2043. It outlines a 'Current Path' (CP) based on existing policies and evaluates 11 sectoral intervention scenarios, culminating in a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario. The analysis focuses on demographics, economic growth, poverty reduction, health, and energy transition, highlighting Eswatini's high per capita income relative to its peers despite endemic poverty and a high HIV/AIDS burden.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies details a 2000 survey of nine police agencies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to assess perceptions of organised crime. It identifies significant resource constraints, a lack of standardised definitions for organised crime, and the prevalence of transnational criminal activities, highlighting the need for improved regional cooperation and international training.

This monograph examines the development and impact of organised crime in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Swaziland in Volume One. It details how criminal networks exploit weak governance and porous borders to establish a regional market for illicit goods, often penetrating state structures through corruption and bribery.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers discusses the establishment of the SADC Organ for Defence, Politics and Security, arguing that regional economic growth and development are dependent on peace, stability, and a transition toward democracy.