In compliance with the provisions off the Protocol on Politics, Defense and Security Co-operation, the Southern African Development Community developed the Mutual Defense Pact in 2003 to operationalise the mechanisms of the Organ and for mutual cooperation in defense and security matters.
The Pact focuses on issues of conflict resolution, military preparedness, collective self-defense and self-action, destabilising factors and settlement of disputes. With regard cooperation Members States are also advised on consultation on implementation of the Pact, non-interference, supplementary agreement as well as the process should a Member State wish to withdraw from the Pact. Confidentiality, regarding any classified information obtained in the implementation of the act is also emphasised.