Ministers of foreign affairs of COMESA Member States concluded their one-day meeting in Bujumbura, Tuesday, 29 October 2024 with peace and security issues in focus.

Setting the tone of the meeting, Zambia’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, said despite achievements recorded in the status of peace, security and stability during the past one, the region still faces some peace and security challenges.

Hon Lufuma who was, representing  the outgoing chair of the Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Mulambe Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia, cited increased number of countries that have conducted national multistakeholder consultations on the COMESA Structural Vulnerability Assessment which has risen to ten.

The number of countries that have volunteered for the Country Structural Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment has increased to three and peaceful elections have been held in Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Egypt, DR Congo, Comoros, Rwanda and Tunisia.

“Despite this progress and achievements, our region still faces some peace and security challenges,” Hon Lufuma said. “The conflict in Sudan is still on going with serious humanitarian crisis. The same is with the situation in Eastern DR Congo and Libya.”

Climate change also featured prominently in the meeting as a major challenge that the region continues to face. Specifically, the devastating drought facing the southern Africa region was identified as having serious ramifications on agriculture, power and water supply, which has had a spillover effect on the economy.

This meeting comes ahead of the 23^rd COMESA Heads of State and Governments Summit to be held on 31^st October 2024 where Zambia will hand over the Chair of the COMESA Authority to Burundi.

COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe highlighted key interventions in place including the enhancement of early warning capabilities, addressing the root causes of conflicts, supporting conflict prevention and management, countering violent extremism and terrorism, combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, contributing to post-conflict reconstruction and development.

The in-coming Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs Hon Albert Shingiro of Burundi pledged his government’s commitment to enhancing peace, security and stability in the region.

He said the country will work will all Member States during Burundis’ tenure to advance ideals of regional integration with peace being vital for any trade and development to occur.