ATPC Work in Progress No. 87

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) dates back from the formation in 1975 of the Frontline States which originally consisted of Botswana, Mozambique and Tanzania, Angola joined in 1976. The Frontline States were constituted to fight against colonialism, racism and white minority rule. The group changed into the Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC) in 1980 following the July 1979 Arusha Conference which agreed to launch the SADCC. The SADCC was launched on the Lusaka Declaration (April 1980) which adopted a programme of action to reduce economic dependence on South Africa; to forge links to create equitable regional integration; and to mobilise resources for implementing national and interstate policies. In 1992 the SADCC was transformed into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by the signing of a treaty which defined the SADC membership’s binding commitments.