Mugabe appointed COMESA Summit Vice Chairman

The 19th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit has officially opened with President Robert Mugabe being appointed interim vice chairperson of the summit.

The summit is being held at Ivato International Conference Centre in Antananarivo.

During the opening session, COMESA Secretary General Mr Sindiso Ngwenya announced the appointment of President Mugabe as the interim vice chairperson of the summit.

Meanwhile, Justice Chinembiri Energy Bhunu of Zimbabwe has been elected as a judge of the court of the first instance division of the COMESA Court of Justice.

He was elected during the first extra-ordinary meeting of Ministers of Justice and Attorney Generals which was held on the side lines of the COMESA Policy Organs Meeting.

Justice Honourable Qinisile Mabuza of Swaziland has been appointed principal judge of the COMESA Court of Justice filling the seat left vacant after the death of the late Justice Andrew Mutema of Zimbabwe who passed away five months after his appointment last year.

The two new appointees will be sworn in this Tuesday.

Three countries, namely the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Madagascar had earlier expressed interest for the post of judge of the court but later withdrew their candidates in favour of Zimbabwe.