Conflicts in DRC and Sudan threaten COMESA integration, warns Secretary-General Chileshe Kapwepwe
COMESA's intra-regional trade has declined for two consecutive years, with analysts warning that prolonged instability could stall the bloc's integration agenda.
Ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan are eroding trade and regional integration across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the bloc's Secretary-General Chileshe Kapwepwe has warned.
Speaking during the 20th Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the 24th COMESA Summit in Nairobi, Kapwepwe urged member states to act swiftly to resolve the crises that have disrupted cross-border trade and undermined regional growth.
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"In Sudan, despite persistent efforts to negotiate peace since the conflict broke out in 2023, warring factions continue to violate ceasefire terms," she said.
"As ceasefire violations, human rights abuses and destabilising activities worsen, we urge all involved parties to embrace dialogue as the only viable option for conflict resolution and urgently address the dire humanitarian situation."
Kapwepwe further expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in eastern DRC, where clashes between government forces, the M23 rebel movement, and other armed groups have destabilised one of the region's key economic corridors.
"Not only has this conflict caused a severe humanitarian crisis, but it has also negatively impacted cross-border trade and economic activities, thus adversely affecting our regional integration efforts in the Great Lakes region," she said.
"In addition, the persistent terrorist activities of al-Shabaab in Somalia continue to undermine regional peace, security and development."
The conflicts in Sudan and DRC have killed thousands, displaced millions, and spurred a wave of transnational migration, straining neighbouring states and reversing gains in economic cooperation.
COMESA's intra-regional trade has declined for two consecutive years, with analysts warning that prolonged instability could stall the bloc's integration agenda.
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