Abstract
M.A.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic has swept through sub-Saharan Africa at an alarming
pace, gaining momentum each year as millions of people are infected and affected by
the virus. A range of social, political and economic consequences have already begun
to emerge as a result of this disease, and a comprehensive response is essential to halt
the spread of HIV and AIDS, and to manage the impact of the pandemic.
This study examines the response of the two dominant regional organisations in sub-
Saharan Africa, namely the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), through an analysis of
their policies on HIV and AIDS. The comparison of the HIV and AIDS policies of
these regional organisations is conducted by means of three sets of identified indicators,
covering education and awareness campaigns, prevention strategies, and treatment and
care programmes. Further, the extent to which the regional guidelines contained in the
policies are incorporated into the HIV and AIDS policies of member states is discussed
with reference to Nigeria and South Africa, identified as the strongest states within their
respective groupings with the highest prevalence rates.
Given the acknowledged impact of the disease, the regional response is not as
comprehensive as would be expected. The SADC policy is generally more elaborative
on the key issues than the ECOWAS policy. Vital issues such as the provision of
condoms and addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS on women are
not dealt with, and the overall policies lack detail and practical guidance. In
comparison, the policies of member states such as Nigeria and South Africa are far
more elaborative, containing creative solutions to daunting problems, although some of
the weaknesses identified in the regional HIV and AIDS policies shine through in the
national policies of member states.
The study concludes that while practical restrictions such as lack of infrastructure,
resources, and diverse cultural and religious beliefs hamper the formulation of a single,
comprehensive regional policy on HIV and AIDS, the current guidelines provided by
both ECOWAS and SADC fall short of the necessary response to a crisis of the
magnitude of the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Prof. Yolanda Sadie