security and conflict resolution.135 Member states are required to develop NAPs to
implement this regional strategy and for example, Mozambique developed a National
Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 (2018-2022) that integrates the objectives of the SADC
Regional Strategy on Women peace and security (2018/2022).136 Only a quarter of
SADC member states i.e. 4 out of 16 have National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325.
Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
ECCAS peace and security framework mainly revolves around the Protocol of Peace
and Security, 1999. Three major instruments emerged in response to peace and
security concerns: The Commission for Défense and Security, the Central African
Early Warning System and the Central African Multinational Force.137 The Peace and
Security Council for Central Africa (Conseil de paid et de security de l’Afrique
centrale, COPAX) was also established to promote common objectives in the
region.138 A Department of Human Integration, Peace, Security and Stability includes
an electoral and early warning unit.139 In 2004 the Protocol Relating to the
Establishment of a Mutual Security Pact in Central Africa entered into force, and a
Declaration on gender equality was adopted by ECCAS.140
ECCAS has had a Human Rights and Democracy Centre since 2001, which provides
an entry point for civil society engagement on peacebuilding. The Central African
parliamentarians (Réseau des Parlementaires de la CEEAC, REPAC) established in
2002 was intended to deliberate on various issues including gender and human rights
but faced resource challenges that affected its operations.141
ECCAS has a new and harmonised Gender Policy 2018 and Action Plan in place for
promoting gender mainstreaming. 7 countries in the Central Africa region
135
have
Southern African Research and Documentation Centre ‘SADC develops regional strategy on women, peace
and security’ July 2018. Available at https://www.sardc.net/en/southern-african-news-features/5787/
136
Available
at
http://www.lse.ac.uk/women-peacesecurity/assets/documents/2019/NAP/NAPMozambique2018.pdf
137
UNECA
‘ECCAS
`Peace,
Security,
Stability
and
Governance`.
Available
at
https://www.uneca.org/oria/pages/eccas-peace-security-stability-and-governance
138
International crisis group ` Implementing Peace and Security Architecture: Central Africa`. 7 November 2011.
Available at https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/implementing-peace-and-security-architecture-icentral-africa
139
Elowson C , Wiklund H C ‘ECCAS Capabilities in Peace and Security: A scoping study on progress and
challenges’ ‘Swedish Defence Research Agency 2011
140
AU ‘Economic Community of Central African States’. Available at https://au.int/en/recs/eccas
141
Ibid
52