Given the need to anticipate consequences of the ever growing security challenges, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) saw the need to establish a Regional Early Warning System integrating inputs from National Early Warning Centres (NEWCs) and the Regional Early Warning Centre (REWC).
It is in this context that, on the recommendation of the Inter-State Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC), and realising the political and financial implications of the exercise, the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) at its meeting held in July 2003 in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique directed the Inter-State Defence and Security Committee to initiate the establishment of the Regional Early Warning System.
The principles underlying the concept of the Regional Early Warning System and its operationalisation was realised through assigning a team of experts to work on the planning and the physical establishment of the system. It also approved the requirements, composition and terms of reference for the team of experts.
The mandate and approval for the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Early Warning Centre (REWC) is derived from the Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ (SIPO) on Peace, Security and Defence.
The Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) at its meeting held in July 2004, in South Africa, mandated the Troika of the Organ to initiate the establishment of the Regional Early Warning Centre in two phases. Phase I, which dealt with the concept, the structure, working system, administrative and financial issues and Phase II which focused on the operationalisation of the Centre.
Launching of the Regional Early Warning Centre
The Regional Early Warning Centre was officially launched on 12 July 2010, by His Excellence Armando Emilio Guebuza, the President of the Republic of Mozambique and then Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Also present were other members of the Troika; His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland, the then out-going Chairperson of the Organ; and Honourable Mkondo D. Lungu, Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Zambia, the Representative of the then incoming Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Members of Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Botswana were also in attendance.
The Regional Early Warning Centre is the hub which is expected to link with National Early Warning Centres in all Member States and the Continental Early Warning Centre at the African Union.
O objectivo geral do Centro Regional de Aviso Prévio da SADC (REWC) é reforçar os mecanismos da SADC para a prevenção, gestão e resolução de conflitos, em conformidade com as disposições do Protocolo sobre Cooperação na Área de Política, Defesa e Segurança e do Plano Indicativo Estratégico do Órgão.
Algumas das principais funções do Centro Regional de Aviso Prévio são:
- Compilar a avaliação estratégica e a análise dos dados recolhidos a nível regional;
- Partilhar informações sobre as principais questões que constituem uma ameaça para a segurança e estabilidade da região; e
- Propor formas e meios para prevenir, combater e gerir essas ameaças.
O trabalho do Centro de Aviso Prévio também fornece informações-chave para oPrograma Regional de Análise e Avaliação de Vulnerabilidades da SADC.
Regional Early Warning Centre
SADC Secretariat
CBD Square Plot 54385
P/Bag 0095
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel.: +267 3951863 ext 1093
Fax: +267 397 2184
