Plans to establish a regional parliament for southern Africa are gaining momentum. On 11 July 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed the agreement to transform the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum into a parliament. The DRC became the 12th Southern African Development Community (SADC) member state to accede, helping meet the quorum for the 16-member bloc to establish the regional parliament.
Gwinyayi A. Dzinesa has researched African regional organisations and regional integration for over two decades. He explains why the parliament could be a game changer for the region.