Challenges Impeding Regional Integration in Southern Africa

  • Victor H Mlambo University of Zululand, South Africa
  • Daniel N Mlambo University of Zululand, South Africa
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v10i2(J).2234
Keywords: Regional integration, Socio-economic development, Challenges, Cooperation, Policy

Abstract

Regional integration through the establishment of regional groupings has been taunted as a gateway to regional development and growth, the coming together of countries to share and contribute to knowledge, policy development, peace and security, trade and educational development is undoubtedly seen as the key to the development of Southern Africa. However, regional integration in Southern Africa has been hampered by numerous challenges which have derailed the quest of regional countries to deepen integration and cooperation. By strictly analyzing relevant literature related to regional integration in Southern Africa, it became evident that the region is engulfed with serious challenges that are hindering the quest for deeper integration, and often this is further compounded by internal economic challenges that members’ states are faced with. The study uncovered the fact that regional integration has been difficult to entrench as member states are confronted with numerous internal challenges which are diverting their need to focus on regional matters. Consequently, regional integration is under threat in Southern Africa as many countries are not effectively prioritizing the development of policies aimed at aiding its entrenchment, mainly because of the significance of the challenges that they are facing and this will further affect members’ states regarding socioeconomic development. The study underscored the importance for regional governments to cooperate on issues of common threats and urgently develop and institute policies/mechanisms that would ensure the entrenchment of regional integration and more importantly its sustainability. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aall, P. & Crocker, C. (2017). The Fabric of Peace in Africa: Looking Beyond the State. McGill-Queen's PressMQUP. Kingston Amutabi, M. & Nasong’o, S. (2013). Regime change and succession politics in Africa: five decades of misrule. Routledge. Abingdon Aris, S. & Wenger, A. (2013). Regional organisations and security: Conceptions and practices. Routledge. Abingdon Belshaw, D. (2002). International trade and trade (Ed). Chichester: Wiley, 380-089. Chidede, T. (2017). Intra-SADC trade remains limited: How can it be boosted? Retrieved from: https://www.tralac.org. Chingono, M. & Nakana, S. (2009). The challenges of regional integration in Southern Africa. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 3(10), 396-408. Chiozza, G. & Goemans, H. (2011). Leaders and international conflict. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge Copson, R. (2007). The United States in Africa: Bush Policy and Beyond. Zed Books. New York Crush, J. & Dodson, B. (2017). Harnessing Migration for Inclusive Growth and Development in Southern Africa. Southern African Migration Programme. Cape Town. South Africa De Bruyn, S. (2012). Economic growth and the environment: An empirical analysis (Vol. 18). Springer Science & Business Media. Berlin De Lombaerde, P., Estevadeordal, A. & Suominen, K. (2008). Governing regional integration for development: monitoring experiences, methods and prospects. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Farnham Deacon, B., Macovei, M., Van Langenhove, L. & Yeates, N. (2009). World-regional social policy and global governance: New research and policy agendas in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Routledge. Abingdon Elbushra, A., Karim, I. & Suleiman, I. (2011). The role of COMESA in promoting intra-regional agricultural trade: Case study of Sudan. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 10(2), 59-64. Elhiraika, A., Mukungu, A. & Nyoike, W. (2016). Regional Integration and Policy Challenges in Africa. Springer. Faye, M., McArthur, J., Sachs, J. & Snow, T. (2004). The challenges facing landlocked developing countries. Journal of Human Development, 5(1), 31-68.
Ferreira, P. (2011). Monetary integration in the European Union. Journal of Emerging Market Finance, 10(1), 93-120. Fosu, A. (2015). Growth and institutions in African Development (Vol. 117). Routledge. Abingdon Gathii, J. (2011). African regional trade agreements as legal regimes (Vol. 6). Cambridge University Press. Cambridge Gekonge, C. (2013). Emerging Business Opportunities in Africa: Market Entry, Competitive Strategy, and the Promotion of Foreign Direct Investments: Market Entry, Competitive Strategy, and the Promotion of Foreign Direct Investments. IGI Global. New Delhi Gutowski, A., Knedlik, T., Osakwe, P., Ramdoo, I. & Wohlmuth, K. (2016). Africa's Progress in Regional and Global Economic Integration-Towards Transformative Regional Integration (Vol. 18). LIT Verlag Münster. Hmaburg Hallaert, J. (2007). Can Regional Integration Accelerate Development in Africa? CGE Model Simulations of the Impact of the SADC FTA on the Republic of Madagascar (No. 7-66). International Monetary Fund. Hepple, B. (2005). Labour laws and global trade. Bloomsbury Publishing. London Huang, J. (2010). The law and regulation of central counterparties. Bloomsbury Publishing. London Jabara, C., Harman, J., Corey, R., Gash, A., Pogany, P. & Brown, L. (1996). US–Africa Trade Flows and Effects of the Uruguay Round Agreements. United Stated Trade Commission. Washington DC Jamison, D. (2006). Disease and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. World Bank Publications. Washington DC Jenkins, C. (2001). Integration and Co-operation in Southern Africa. OECD. Paris Jenkins, C., Leape, J. & Thomas, L. (2000). Gaining from Trade in Southern Africa: complementary policies to underpin the SADC Free Trade Area. Springer. Berlin Kanyenze, G. & Jauch, L. (2016). Towards Democratic Development States in Southern Africa. Langaa RPCIG. Bamenda Kararach, G. & Besada, H. (2016). Development in Africa: refocusing the lens after the Millennium Development Goals. Policy Press. Bristol Kawendu, D. (2009). SADC in the 21st Century. Retrieved from: http://www.southernafricatrust.org Kawulich, B. (2005). Participant observation as a data collection method. In Forum Qualitative Sozial forschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 6, No. 2). Khandelwal, P. (2004). COMESA and SADC: Prospects and challenges for regional trade integration (No. 4227). International Monetary Fund. Washington Kühnhardt, L. (2010). Region-building: Vol. I: The Global Proliferation of Regional Integration. Berghahn Books. Marion Lewis, J. (2001). Reform and opportunity: The changing role and patterns of trade in South Africa and SADC (p. 22). World Bank. Washington Madyo, M. (2009). The importance of regional economic integration in Africa (Doctoral dissertation). University of South Africa. South Africa Mapuva, J. & Muyengwa-Mapuva, L. (2014). The SADC regional bloc: What challenges and prospects for regional integration? Law, Democracy and Development, 18, 22-36. Maumbe, B. (2009). E-Agriculture and E-Government for Global Policy Development: Implications and Future Directions: Implications and Future Directions. IGI Global. New Delhi Mayr, K. & Peri, G. (2009). Brain drain and brain return: theory and application to Eastern-Western Europe. The BE Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, 9(1). Mbuya, J. (2000). The AIDS Epidemic in South Africa: A Practical Guide for Every Family. Dr John Chibaya Mbuya. Sunny Printers McNamee, T., Pearson, M. & Boer, W. (2015). Africans investing in Africa: Understanding business and trade, sector by sector. Springer. Berlin Mekonnen, A. (2015). The West and China in Africa: Civilization without Justice. Wipf and Stock Publishers. Eugene Miller, N. (2010). Trent University 2010, Understanding a theoretical framework, Trent University. Retrieved from:http://www.trentu.ca Moreira, M. (2004). Brazil's trade liberalization and growth: has it failed? (Vol. 24). Bid-intal. Rio Morna, C. & Dube, S. (2014). SADC gender protocol 2014 barometer. Gender Links. Cyrildene Mundial, B. (1992). Global economic prospects and the developing countries. World Bank. Washington Narlikar, A. (2011). The small States in Multilateral Economic Negotiations. Taylor & Francis. London
Nathan, L. (2013). Community of insecurity: SADC's struggle for peace and security in southern Africa. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Farnham Nshimbi, C. & Moyo, I. eds. (2017). Migration, Cross-border Trade and Development in Africa: Exploring the Role of Non-State Actors in the SADC Region. Springer. Berlin Omamo, S. & von Grebmer, K. (2005). Biotechnology, agriculture, and food security in southern Africa. Intl Food Policy Res Inst. Washington, DC Oosthuizen, G. (2006). The Southern African Development Community: the organisation, its policies and prospects. Institute for Global Dialogue. Pretoria Oppong, R. (2011). Legal Aspects of Economic Integration in Africa. Cambridge University Press. New York Plummer, M., Cheong, D. & Hamanaka, S. (2011). Methodology for impact assessment of free trade agreements. Asian Development Bank. Mandaluyong Porter, A. (2017). Extreme poverty set to rise across Southern Africa. Retrieved from: www.sadc.int/. [Accessed 17 March 2017] Ramutsindela, M. (2007). Transfrontier conservation in Africa: At the confluence of capital, politics and nature. Cabi. Wallingford Rönnmar, M. (2011). Labour law, fundamental rights and social Europe. Bloomsbury Publishing. London Ross, R. (2008). A concise history of South Africa. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge SADC. (2012). Trade in Southern Africa. Retrieved from: www.sadc.int/. Skoet, J. & Stamoulis, K. (2006). The state of food insecurity in the world 2006: Eradicating world hungertaking stock ten years after the world food summit. Food & Agriculture Organization. Rome Söderbaum, F. (2004). The political economy of regionalism: the case of Southern Africa. Springer. Berlin Soesastro, H. (2006). Regional integration in East Asia: Achievements and future prospects. Asian Economic Policy Review, 1(2), 215-234. Sorgenfrei, C. (2011). Optimum Currency Areas: A Monetary Union for Southern Africa. Diplomica Verlag. Hamburg Takács, S. (2015). The Modern World: Civilizations of Africa, Civilizations of Europe, Civilizations of the Americas, Civilizations of the Middle East and Southwest Asia, Civilizations of Asia and the Pacific. Routledge. Abingdon Tangri, R. & Mwenda, A. (2013). The politics of elite corruption in Africa: Uganda in comparative African perspective (Vol. 3). Routledge. Abingdon Teferi, D. (2010). Role of civil society organisations in the realisation of human rights in Africa and the effect of regulatory mechanisms on their functions: Ethiopia and Ghana perspective. University of Pretoria. Pretoria Tekere, M. (2007). Regional Integration, economic growth and poverty reduction in Southern Africa. London. Oxford University Press Tekere, M. (2012). Regional trade integration, economic growth and poverty reduction in Southern Africa. African Books Collective. Cape Town Than, M. & Gates, C. (2001). ASEAN Enlargement: Impacts & Implications. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.Singapore Tralac. (2017). SADC for increased intra-regional and international trade. Retrieved from: https://www.tralac.org. Transparency International. (2011). Corruption is getting worse in southern Africa and most people pay bribes for public services. Retrieved from: https://www.transparency.org. USA International Business Publications. (2011). Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Business Law Handbook. International Business publication. Washington DC Vlassenroot, K. & Raeymaekers, T. (2004). Conflict and social transformation in Eastern DR Congo. Academia Press. Belgium Yin, J. (2012). Urban Planning for dummies. John Wiley & Sons. Hoboken Zeb, M. (2012). Native Peoples of the World: An Encyclopaedia of Groups.Cultures, and Contemporary Issues, 3, 674-675. Zungu-Dirwayi, N. (2004). 9An Audit of HIV/AIDS Policies in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. HSRC Press. Pretoria
Published
2018-05-19
How to Cite
Mlambo, V. H., & Mlambo, D. N. (2018). Challenges Impeding Regional Integration in Southern Africa. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 10(2(J), 250-261. https://doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v10i2(J).2234
Issue
Vol 10 No 2(J) (2018)
Section
Research Paper

Copyright (c) 2018 Victor H Mlambo, Daniel N Mlambo

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author (s) should affirm that the material has not been published previously. It has not been submitted and it is not under consideration by any other journal. At the same time author (s) need to execute a publication permission agreement to assume the responsibility of the submitted content and any omissions and errors therein. After submission of a revised paper in the light of suggestions of the reviewers, editorial team edits and formats manuscripts to bring uniformity and standardization in published material.

This work will be licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) and under condition of the license, users are free to read, copy, remix, transform, redistribute, download, print, search or link to the full texts of articles and even build upon their work as long as they credit the author for the original work. Moreover, as per journal policy author (s) hold and retain copyrights without any restrictions.