Freedom of movement in Southern Africa: a SADC (pipe)dream?

The region needs a more collective approach to managing migration but political will and reliable data are lacking.

Growing socio-economic disparities within and between states in Southern Africa are a major impediment to adopting a more collective approach to managing migration. This is compounded by a lack of political will from Southern African Development Community leaders and an absence of reliable data. This report looks at policies, practices and positions on migration. On paper, the prospects for freedom of movement are there. In practice, more needs to be done.

About the authors

Ottilia Anna Maunganidze is the head of special projects at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). She manages programmes on migration and counter-terrorism monitoring. Ottilia works on transnational issues and international law, focusing on international human rights law, humanitarian law and international criminal law. She writes and comments widely on international criminal justice, terrorism policy and practice, and migration governance.

Julian Formica is a Master’s student at Trinity College Dublin. He conducted research for the ISS in 2018 as part of his Masters’ programme and a partnership between the ISS and Trinity College Dublin aimed at developing the research capacity of young researchers. The partnership is part of Ireland’s efforts to increase linkages between African and Irish organisations.