While Southern Africa is not now affected by conflict to the same extent as some other parts of the continent, instability and insecurity, on a personal, national and regional level, do impact on the lives of the people of the region, and especially on the poor. The AU has stated its intention to address peace and security at a continental level, and is building and capacitating the African Peace and Security Architecture. The Regions have a part to play in this, and some regional institutions such as SADC include ‘durable peace and security’ among their goals for the region.

DFID-SA has engaged in this agenda alongside FCO and MOD, through for example its support to the Southern Africa Trust, which works to increase the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take a human security approach to regional security initiatives; and to Pax Africa which aims to develop partnership between Governments and CSOs on human security in the region. However the changes in the structure of the DFID-FCO-MOD Africa Conflict Prevention Pool have meant that this pillar of the 2006 Regional Plan has not been as strong a focus for DFID-SA as was envisaged. We are considering whether DFID-SA can add value at a regional level by engaging with partners to help improve personal security, peaceful societies or nations, regional stability, or contribute to the pan-African peace-building agenda.