Various

Southern Africa
The development of RAWS in Africa started with the OIE’s Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa (which covers all 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which developed their draft RAWS in 2010-2011. Janice Cox undertook this work as a consultant and prepared detailed reports on the status of AW for each of the countries, which were then analyzed as a basis for the draft RAWS. This was delayed by the lack of funding available for a participatory strategic planning workshop and implementation. The RAWS was subsequently adopted by SADC as an animal welfare action plan and submitted for funding under the AU’s (EU-funded) VET-GOV (Veterinary Governance) program – but was rejected on a technicality. SADC was due to re-submit, but this was delayed due to a staff change within SADC. There has been no progress since then.

East Africa
The OIE’s regional office started the process of preparing an East African RAWS/action plan, but was unable to secure VET-GOV funding for this (as a member of the VET-GOV panel). The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) pushed this forward – see above. At the time, the East African Community (EAC) was assigned to monitor the process.

West Africa
A RAWS was researched and drafted for West Africa, with Ghana as ‘champion’ (supported by Janice Cox) and PAAWA as partner. This has been officially submitted to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by Ghana, but not yet adopted.

Reports indicate that there was interest from ECOWAS, but no progress due to staffing issues/workload.

There was also an objection from Nigeria regarding the process.

However, African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has now indicated that it will support ECOWAS with the development of a RAWS.

Central Africa
AU-IBAR has indicated that it will support the Economic Community of Central African States with the development of a RAWS.

Other RECs
We have no information about other RECs working on RAWS/Platforms.

Regional Economic Communities

Various, depending on REC. Contacts with individual RECs are recommended.

Varied

• There is an advocacy opportunity to push for progress on various African sub-regional RAWS (at REC level), now that the continental RAWS has been adopted.
• The example of IGAD validating a RAWS for the REC can also be used as a precedent.
• There are advocacy opportunities with RECs in other parts of the world as well.