An Assessment of the SADC Conflict Transformation Capacity in the Context of the Recurring Conflict in Lesotho 1998-2018: Towards a Conflict Transformation Model
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
An Assessment of the SADC Conflict Transformation Capacity in the context of the recurring conflict in Lesotho 1998-2018: Towards a conflict transformation model By Noluthando Prudence Phungula (Student Number: 207524568) Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Conflict and Peace studies, Cluster of International and Public Affairs, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Supervisor: Prof Khondlo Mtshali Co supervisor: Dr Sadiki Maeresera University of KwaZulu-Natal January 2020 DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my children Melissa Dlamini, Samuel Limiphakade Radebe, Nkosenhle Shiloh Radede and Ziphezinhle. This work is to set an example for all of you that with hard work and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ all things are possible. Be forever encouraged. i DECLARATION 1, Noluthando Prudence Phungula, declare that: 1. The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, 1s my original research. 2. This thesis has not been submitted forany degree or examination at any other university. 3. This thesis does not contain other persons data, pictures, graphs or other informationunless specificallyacknow ledged as being sourced fromother persons. 4. This thesis does not contain other persons' writing unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: 5. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced 6. Where their exact words have been used, then their writing has been placed in italics and inside quotation marks and referenced. 7. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted fromthe Internet,unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the references sections. Student: NoluthandoPhungula Date: 14 Aug st � �� ' .. Signature: $j-� . Supervisor: ;P,rof.Khondlo Mtshali Date: 14August2020 Signature: ABSTRACT With Lesotho as its case study, the aim of this dissertation is to assess the conflict transformation capacity of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) within the period 1998-2018. The study was guided by the following questions: Which dynamics have been at play in the recurrence of conflict in Lesotho? What strategic political and diplomatic efforts has the SADC implemented in its attempts to resolve the conflict? What have been the major constraints encountered by the sub-regional body in its attempts to resolve the conflict? What scholarly and policy recommendations can be proffered for a sustainable SADC sub- regional conflict transformation model? This study utilised a qualitative research approach. Data which was collected through semi structured interviews was analysed using content analysis. As its theoretic framework, this research used the conflict transformation theory which has a focus on transforming factors that tend to perpetuate conflicts and on establishing a culture of non-violence, empathy and mutual understanding in communities to give them the capacity to resolve conflicts in a manner that is effective and that guarantees sustainable and durable peace. Within the conflict transformation framework, Lederach’s pyramid places emphasis on inclusion of all levels of leadership in transformative efforts. The findings of the study are presented under relevant themes. The findings show that SADC has the capacity to transform conflicts from negative to positive and sustainable peace. However, SADC currently does not have a guiding model for its CT efforts. As such, the study recommends a conflict transformation framework centred on local ownership as opposed to an outsider mediation approach, and a multi-pronged approach towards assessing the dynamics of the conflict and in the CT process. The study holds that peace attained under such conditions would be an effective, durable and self-sustainable peace. The study contributes to the debates on the relevance and application of Conflict Transformation as a possible framework that SADC could use to address the myriad of issues in the Lesotho context. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my Lord and King, the Lord Jesus Christ honour and glory be to you for sustaining me during the most challenging times of my life during this PhD. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the following people for their assistance, encouragement and contributions: First, my supervisor Prof. Khondlo Mtshali, who’s always believed I could do this. Izandla zidlula ikhanda Mantshinga, ngaphandle kwakho ngabe angikho lapha. Ngiyabonga kakhulu okweze kimi ukwenze nakwabanye. My co- supervisor, Dr Sadiki Maeresera for your assistance, I am grateful. My husband, Martin Radebe for your patience and support throughout this journey. My gratitude to my study participants whose willing contributions made this study possible. Thank you. My parents, Mr and Mrs Phungula thank you for always believing in me and supporting me in all my endeavours. My brother Mpumelelo Phungula the one person who kept on encouraging me, khula Mdlovu. Ngiyabonga. My Aunt Nomusa Nyandeni and Uncle Mmeli Ngwane ngiyabonga maNgubonde you have held my hand from my very first degree, gave me shelter and were a pillar of strength thank you. You cried with me during difficult times, I will never forget. My children, Mellissa, Samuel, Nkosenhle and Ziphezinhle whom I at times had to neglect to focus on this work. I hope one day you understand this was all for you. To my colleagues and fellow doctoral candidates, Zanele Zuma, Mzwandile Makhoba, Ziya Khumalo, Dr Paul Onwuegbuchulam, Dr. Siyabonga Dlamini, Dr Sakhile Hadebe, Dr Hlengiwe Phetha, thank you for your encouragement and helping me to push forth in this tedious journey. To my Pastors, Apostle S.C Maduna and Ps M. Mkhonza thank you for your prayers and spiritual covering, I will be forever grateful. The financial assistance of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NIHSS and SAHUDA. iv LIST OF ACRONYMS ABC All Basotho Congress ACCORD African Centre For Constructive Resolution of Disputes AD Alliance of Democrats AfDB African Development Bank APLA Azanian Peoples’ Liberation Army APRM African Peer Review Mechanism APSA African Peace and Security Architecture AU African Union BAC Basutoland African Congress BCP Basutoland Congress Party BNP Basotho National Party CCL Christian Council of Lesotho CEWS Continental Early Warning System CMR Civil-military relations CNGO Council of Non-Governmental Organisations COM Council of Ministers CSOs Civil Society Organisations CT Conflict Transformation DC Democratic Congress DDR Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration DRC Democratic Republic of Congo ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States EU European Union FLS Frontline States FPTP First Past The Post GDP Gross domestic product GPA Global Political Agreement GNU Government of National Unity IEC Independent Electoral Commission IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development IPA Interim Political Authority ISDSC Inter-State Defence and Security Committee v JOMIC Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee LCD Lesotho Congress for Democracy LDF Lesotho Defence Force LLA Lesotho Liberation Army LHWP Lesotho Highlands water project LMPS Lesotho Mounted Police Service LWP Lesotho Workers Party MCO Ministerial Committee of the Organ MDC Movement for Democratic Change MDP Mutual Defense Pact M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MMP Mixed Member Proportional MTP Maremma Tlou Freedom Party MRG Mediation Reference Group MSU Mediation Support Unit MOU Memorandum of Understanding NEWC National Early Warning Centre NIP National Independent Party NUL National University of Lesotho OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OPDSC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Co-operation PAC Pan African Congress PMU Police Mobile Unit POE Panel of Elders PR Proportional Representation PSC Peace and Security Council NP National Party REC Regional Economic Community REWC Regional Early Warning Centre RISDP Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan RPTC Regional Peace Training Centre SA South Africa SACU Southern African Customs Union SADC Southern African Development Community vi SADCC Southern African Development Coordination Conference SADCSF SADC Standby Force SAPMIL SADC Preventive Mission in Lesotho SANDF South African National Defence Force SARPPCO Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation SCU Sector Coordinating Unit SCT Systemic conflict transformation SEAC SADC Electoral Advisory Council SEOM SADC Electoral Observer Mission SNC SADC National Committee SOMILES SADC Observer Mission in Lesotho SSR Security Sector Reform SIPO Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ UKZN University of KwaZulu- Natal UNDP United Nations Development Programme UN United Nations UNSC United Nations Security Council US United States ZNA Zimbabwe National Army ZAPU- PF Zimbabwe African People’s Union- Patriotic Front vii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................... i DECLARATION ................................................................................................................