The Role of the Council of Non-Governmental Organisations on Peacebuilding in the Southern African Development Community: A Conceptual Perspective 

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are present at all levels of contemporary peacebuilding efforts. They include, among others, community groups, women's associations, labour unions and indigenous groups. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, through the Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (CNGO), have dedicated substantial efforts towards building and strengthening the capacities of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), harnessing their potential as peace actors. An observed dearth of literature contributions on topics dealing with the role of SADCCNGO member organisations (hereafter referred to as CSOs and SADCCNGO interchangeably) in the enforcement of peace within the region spurred the interest in this project. Hence, this study set out on an aim to answer the question: What is the role of the SADC-CNGO on peacebuilding in the region? To address this gap, this study sought to: (a) conceptualise SADC-CNGO and peacebuilding within the SADC context; (b) to determine the link between SADC-CNGO and peacebuilding in the SADC region; and (c) to critically analyse its role in fostering peacebuilding in the SADC region. As a result, this article provides a critical exploration of the link between the CSOs and peacebuilding. The article further discusses the role that CSOs play in peacebuilding across the SADC region. The discussion takes perspective from the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence & Security Co-Operation enacted in 1996. Theoretically, the discussion in this article is guided by the structural functionalism theory that was simplified by Radcliff-Brown between 1881 and 1955. This theory encourages the understanding of CSOs as a social system that supports and sustains global efforts in strengthening peacebuilding. A qualitative approach known as Content Analysis (CA) was employed in our study. Secondary data covering the SADC-CNGO and peacebuilding issues were critically analysed. The findings point to the fact that the SADC-CNGO member organisations greatly serve as watchdogs, pressure groups, interest groups, and monitoring and evaluation agents. The findings also reveal that the CSOs play a pivotal role in promoting peace within the region. The article, therefore, concludes that the SADC member states should intentionally employ CSOs to foster peace and development as well to promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).