COMESA foreign ministers call for stronger regional action on peace and security

Foreign ministers of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) called for stronger regional cooperation on peace and security at their annual meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, reported by the COMESA Secretariat on 21 October. Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Amon Murwira, hosted the meeting and called for collective measures to anticipate crises, prevent conflict and manage emerging threats. The ministers reviewed a volatile regional picture, including the humanitarian consequences of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, outstanding political and security challenges in Ethiopia, and Somalia’s political transition and continuing extremist threats. They also discussed insecurity and institutional divisions in Libya, including links to migration, trafficking and organised crime, and the continuing conflict in Sudan. The meeting considered a report from COMESA’s Committee on Peace and Security, which met virtually on 15 October. Ministers also discussed electoral disputes, political tolerance, independent electoral institutions and broader participation by women and young people. They stressed responsible use of digital technologies and prevention of election-related violence. The Secretariat said elections in the period showed both progress and continuing challenges in democratic consolidation. Ministers elected Zimbabwe as meeting chair, Zambia as vice-chair and Burundi as rapporteur. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe urged African-led responses, while Murwira argued that security is essential to trade, investment and integration. COMESA grounded the discussion in Article 3(d) of its treaty, which recognises peace and security as essential to sustainable integration and economic development. Ministers also considered renewed piracy, climate-related insecurity and wider geopolitical shocks. Nexus analysis: The meeting connects regional economic cooperation with conflict prevention and institutional resilience. Its recommendations should be read as diplomatic priorities, not as evidence of newly committed project finance or a measurable improvement in security along trade routes.