Burundi has been elected rapporteur of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa’s (COMESA) annual meeting of foreign ministers, as regional governments grapple with armed conflicts, political instability and security threats affecting regional integration.
The appointment was made Wednesday at the 21st annual meeting in Harare, where Zimbabwe was elected chair and Zambia vice-chair.
The ministers reviewed security developments across the region, including the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, political and security challenges in Ethiopia and Somalia, divisions in Libya and the continuing war in Sudan.
They also discussed electoral disputes, irregular migration, human trafficking, renewed piracy and the wider implications of the conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Burundi’s appointment places it in the meeting’s leadership structure, although the statement announcing the results did not specify the rapporteur’s responsibilities or identify any particular security initiatives that Burundi would oversee.
COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe called for greater African ownership of efforts to address regional crises, while recognizing the contributions of member states, the African Union, other regional economic communities and international partners.
“Our responsibility is to complement these efforts and to ensure African ownership through the practical implementation of the principle of African Solutions for African Problems,” she said.
The meeting also highlighted the economic consequences of insecurity. Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira said peace and security were essential to expanding trade, attracting investment and advancing regional integration.
“We should work towards collective decisions that strengthen our capacity to anticipate crises, prevent conflict, manage emerging threats and build a more peaceful, resilient and integrated region. Poverty is our greatest enemy,” Murwira said.
On democratic governance, Kapwepwe said elections held in the region during the period under review reflected both progress and continuing challenges.
She highlighted the need to resolve electoral disputes, promote political tolerance, safeguard the independence of electoral institutions and prevent election-related violence. She also called for greater participation by women and young people and the responsible use of digital technologies.
The ministers further discussed the implications of the conflict involving the United States and Iran, saying the developments underscored the need to strengthen the region’s economic and strategic resilience.
Under Article 3(d) of the COMESA Treaty, peace and security are recognized as essential to sustainable regional integration and economic development.
The meeting’s statement did not detail new implementation deadlines or enforcement mechanisms for the issues discussed.
