COMESA has prioritized the development of programmes on post conflict reconstruction and development especially in the Great Lakes Region through Trading for Peace Programme.

Under this initiative 10 Trade Information Desks have been established at various border posts of the Great Lakes Region to provide small scale cross border traders with information such as pricing, taxes and markets.

Secretary General Sindiso Ngwenya told the 14th Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Addis Ababa, Saturday that investing in empowering communities at the border area and encouraging interaction between them, was an incentive to avoid getting into activities that can disrupt the benefits accrued from the trading relations.

He reported that another phase of the programme had begun this year aimed at reinforcing infrastructure at these border posts starting with the reconstruction of border offices at Goma and Kavimvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“During this phase, we plan to construct markets at Goma, Rubavu, Gatumba and Kavimvira, at the cost of approximately three Million dollars,” Mr Ngwenya informed the Ministers. The project is supported by the KfW Bank under the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture.

What was most urgent, he said was to manage and resolve existing conflicts, and ensure that the factors that led people to pick up arms are addressed comprehensively so that any conflicts that are resolved remain resolved.

In addition to the post conflict reconstruction programmes, COMESA was also investing in an early warning system that is able to provide indications about structural factors that need to be addressed long before they manifest. The Secretary General however noted that it was “up to policy makers to act on the warnings given, if the conflict is going to be prevented.”

Ethiopian State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Ambassador Berhane Gebre-Christos called on COMESA Member States to complement the efforts of other sub regional groupings in the region such as IGAD and continental Union involved in peace and security to avoid duplication of efforts and institutional rivalry.

In his opening address of the meeting, Ambassador Gebre-Christos said it was not only critical to build peace where it has been established but also to overcome through dialogue the persistent stalemate characterizing some conflict situations in the region.

The Minister cited terrorism as one of the serious threat facing COMESA region that required collective action to counter it.

“Terrorism threat posed by groups such as Al Shabab, AQIM, LRA and others is not only a problem of few countries but of each and every one of us,” the Minister said. “Our counter-terrorism efforts should begin from a clear understanding of this fundamental reality and demonstrate a firm commitment to individually and collectively fight the menace.”

He urged the COMESA states to support the peace efforts in Somalia and continue to assist, encourage and even press parties in South Sudan when necessary in order to achieve durable peace and stability. Mr Ngwenya thanked the European Union for funding the Maritime Security programme, and development of COMESA mediation support and early warning programmes through the African Union. He also thanked the KfW bank, the African Development Bank and USAID for supporting the Trading for Peace Programme.

The Ministers drawn from the 19 Member States appreciated the African Union for providing COMESA with conference facilities for its policy organs meetings and Summit.