The focus of this paper is the economic development of the countries in the SADC region, and the influence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the SADC region. It describes the reign of Mobuto and the collapse of the infrastructure in the Congo and controversies surrounding the membership of the Congo to the SADC. The SADC protocol on Trade has been one of the most important treaties in the region and the SADC hoped to end the disputes over tariff levels; however the treaties has not protected the SADC from discontent amongst its members.
