This report assesses the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) evolving maritime security architecture, showing how geography, national capability gaps and political-economic conditions shape regional ambitions and limitations. By analysing the roles of SADC’s Standing Maritime Committee (SMC) and its Integrated Maritime Security Strategy (IMSS), it highlights coordination weaknesses and uneven member-state engagement, which continue to constrain effective regional maritime governance.

About the author

Timothy Walker is a Maritime Senior Researcher at ISS Pretoria. Since 2011, he has worked to promote maritime security as a policy priority with organisations such as the African Union, Economic Community of West African States, Intergovernmental Authority for Development, SADC and Indian Ocean Rim Association. He holds a master’s degree in political and international studies from Rhodes University, South Africa.