Abstract
ABSTRACT This article compares sovereignty construction within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), analysing how their differing approaches have shaped their governance and institutional frameworks. It argues that the historical contexts behind the formation and evolution of these two organisations have led to distinct sovereignty constructions. ECOWAS, established with a strong focus on regional integration, saw member states willingly cede aspects of their sovereignty for the collective regional benefit. In contrast, SADC, initially formed as a solidarity group against apartheid, adopted a more cautious and less defined approach to sovereignty. These historical differences are reflected in the sovereignty frameworks of their respective founding treaties. While subsequent revisions to those founding documents have expanded both organisations’ scopes and mandates, their approaches to member sovereignty have continued to diverge, shaped by different historical and normative influences, with implications for governance within each region.
Published Version
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