Zimbabwe has assumed the chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Council of Ministers, with regional trade, peace and security emerging as key priorities for accelerating economic integration among the bloc’s 21 member states.
The country took over the chairmanship following the conclusion of the Council’s 21st meeting at the Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, on Wednesday, positioning Zimbabwe at the forefront of efforts to deepen regional economic cooperation and unlock investment and trade opportunities.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, who assumed the Council chairmanship, said peace and security were essential to sustainable development, regional integration and shared prosperity.
“Peace and security are the bedrock for sustainable development, economic integration and shared prosperity. We are Africa. And as Africa, we should resist being part of geopolitical contestations. We have a continent to manage. We have our people to feed. We have our people to keep. We have our people to give respect to,” Prof Murwira said.
He called on African countries to take greater responsibility for addressing the continent’s challenges and advancing their collective interests.
“We neither look east, nor look west, nor look south, nor look north. We look at ourselves and we must help ourselves,” he said.
Ministers at the meeting deliberated on measures to increase intra-COMESA trade, address regional security challenges and strengthen cooperation among member states, with the discussions highlighting the need to align peace and security initiatives with the bloc’s economic development objectives.
Zambia assumed the vice-chairmanship of the Council, with its Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Mulambo Haimbe, underscoring the importance of deeper regional trade in promoting shared prosperity and expanding economic opportunities.
COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, said peace and security remained fundamental to sustainable economic growth and increased trade across the region.
She also highlighted the importance of democratic governance and credible electoral processes in maintaining regional stability, calling for greater attention to electoral dispute resolution, political tolerance, independent electoral institutions and the participation of women and young people.
Kapwepwe further emphasised the need for responsible use of digital technologies and measures to prevent election-related violence, while commending member states that had invited COMESA to participate in their electoral processes.
Zimbabwe’s assumption of the Council chairmanship comes as the country hosts the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government, providing an opportunity to advance discussions on regional trade, investment and industrialisation.
The chairmanship places Zimbabwe in a position to help drive the implementation of regional commitments aimed at expanding market access, strengthening economic cooperation and creating opportunities for businesses and investors.
