SADC reform potential
Between September and February, new presidents came to power in South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, three key Southern African Development Community (SADC) states. In the latter two, the outgoing presidents has held power for nearly four decades each. The stagnation this imposed on their countries also affected SADC. New leaders could take the organisation forward, but it is not clear whether they have the appetite for this in the face of formidable domestic and regional obstacles.
A likely third-term bid by Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu will present SADC with difficulties over whether to publicly censure a member.
Potentially heightened DRC refugee outflows will be a major concern for neighbouring states.
Burundi's accession bid will increase scrutiny of SADC's democratic credentials given President Pierre Nkurunziza's contentious rule.
