Spotlight on the ADP: “Sub-regional bodies are uniquely positioned to catalyse progress on the treaty”

Kudakwashe Dube, CEO of the Africa Disability Alliance explains why the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) can help advance the African Disability Protocol.

Regional Economic Commissions have existed primarily to advance trade and economic interests of countries and member states within their regions. However, they have also been instrumental in advancing continental policy decisions and are crucial in rallying for political commitments and revitalisation of continental priorities crucial to advancing Africa’s priorities.

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) is a crucial entity with a strategic role of ensuring its members in the region come together and ratify the African Disability Protocol (ADP) as well as take measures to ensure its implementation across the region.

In seeking to leverage the opportunity with the SADC, towards ratification of the ADP among its member states, the Africa Disability Alliance shares perspectives on the role of SADC in influencing realisation of the rights of people with disabilities in southern Africa through the ADP.

Message to duty bearers and decision-makers in countries yet to ratify the ADP

The ADP represents a transformative opportunity for our continent to ensure the rights, dignity and inclusion of people with disabilities are enshrined not only in law but in lived reality. It is an opportunity for African countries to move from policy to action. To countries yet to ratify, I urge you to recognise that ratification is not merely a procedural step – it is a signal of political will, a commitment to social justice, and an act of solidarity with millions of citizens who have been historically marginalised.

Ratifying the protocol is a foundational act that unlocks regional and international support, strengthens your country’s human rights credentials, and aligns national legislation with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. More importantly, it is a moral imperative. Delaying ratification perpetuates exclusion, discrimination and the denial of basic rights to persons with disabilities. I call on you to prioritise the ratification process, through your line ministries, empower and listen to the voices of organisations of persons with disabilities, and to take decisive action that will shape a more inclusive future for all.

Challenges in implementation and domestication: urban-rural dynamics and beyond

Ratification is only the beginning. The real test lies in domestication and implementation of the protocol’s provisions. Here, countries face several persistent challenges. First, there is often a gap between international commitments and national legislation, with a lack of political momentum to translate protocol principles into enforceable laws and policies. Bureaucratic inertia limits technical capacity, and competing policy priorities can stall progress.

Urban-rural dynamics further complicate implementation. In many African countries, urban areas are more likely to benefit from advocacy, resource allocation and accessible infrastructure. Rural communities, by contrast, are often left behind, characterised by limited access to information, inadequate healthcare and education services, and entrenched social stigma against people with disabilities. The protocol’s vision cannot be realised if its benefits are confined to urban centres. Governments must invest in outreach, data collection and tailored interventions that address the unique barriers faced by rural populations.

Additionally, meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in policy development and monitoring remains insufficient. Without the voices being heard at the table, policies risk being disconnected from the lived realities of those they aim to serve. Addressing these challenges requires political will, cross-sectoral collaboration and sustained investment in capacity building – particularly at local government and community levels.

The role of sub-regional bodies: how SADC can support ratification and implementation

Sub-regional bodies such as the SADC are uniquely positioned to catalyse progress on ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol. SADC’s convening power, technical expertise and ability to set regional agendas can help harmonise standards and share best practices among member states.

SADC can play a critical role:

• Advocacy and awareness: by prioritising the protocol on its policy agenda, SADC can elevate disability rights to a regional priority, mobilising political will among member states
• Technical assistance: SADC can facilitate access to technical expertise, toolkits for legislative review and capacity-building workshops to support countries in the domestication process
• Peer learning and accountability: through peer review mechanisms, SADC can encourage mutual accountability, enabling countries to learn from each other’s experiences and address common challenges collectively
• Resource mobilisation: SADC can help leverage regional and international funding streams to support implementation, especially in resource-constrained settings
• Inclusion of civil society: SADC should ensure that organisations of people with disabilities are systematically engaged in all stages of regional policy development and monitoring

Ultimately, SADC’s leadership can help bridge the gap between high-level commitments and grassroots realities, ensuring that the African Disability Protocol is not only ratified but fully realised across southern Africa.

Conclusion

The ADP stands as a beacon of hope for millions across the continent. Its promise will only be fulfilled through concerted action – by governments, regional bodies and civil society alike. I urge all stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric, to ratify, domesticate and implement the protocol with urgency and resolve, and to ensure that no one is left behind in our collective march toward justice and inclusion.