COMESA to focus on flow of weapons fuelling African conflicts

HARARE - Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states are expected to broaden discussions beyond trade and economic integration to address peace, security and the proliferation of weapons fueling conflicts across the continent.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira said peace and security issues would feature prominently during deliberations linked to the 25th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Murwira said African countries were increasingly concerned by the sophistication of weapons being used in conflicts across the continent.

"Some member states will be focusing on peace, security, stability and conflicts, and ascertaining who is supplying and funding those types of guns which have torn Africa apart," he said.

Murwira said African governments could no longer view conflicts solely as internal challenges without examining the wider networks that facilitate the movement of weapons into conflict zones.

"African states are shocked to observe the calibre of guns used in some African countries. They have contributed towards some of Africa's fragility. Part of the focus will be the establishment of comprehensive mechanisms to interrogate, investigate and establish the suppliers of heavy and dreadful guns used in some African countries during armed conflicts," he said.

The minister cited conflicts in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia as examples of regions where prolonged instability continues to pose challenges to development and regional integration.

The growing focus on security represents a shift for COMESA, which has traditionally concentrated on trade, industrialisation and regional economic cooperation.

However, policymakers increasingly argue that economic growth and regional integration cannot thrive in the absence of peace and stability.

The discussions are expected to complement ongoing African Union initiatives aimed at reducing armed violence, strengthening border security and curbing the illicit movement of weapons across the continent.

These efforts include the African Union's "Silencing the Guns" agenda and Africa Amnesty Month, under which citizens are encouraged to surrender illicit firearms and light weapons voluntarily.

Member states have also been encouraged to strengthen stockpile management, enhance intelligence-sharing and improve border controls to combat illicit arms trafficking.

A senior COMESA official familiar with the discussions said understanding how weapons reach conflict zones is critical to achieving lasting peace.

"The guns that have ravaged countries such as the DRC, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia did not appear by accident. Understanding how they enter conflict zones is an important part of promoting peace and stability," the official said.

The summit is also expected to consider proposals aimed at strengthening cooperation with the African Union Peace and Security Council and enhancing Africa's participation in international efforts to regulate the global arms trade.

Zimbabwe is hosting the summit under the theme "One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration."

Officials say tackling insecurity remains essential to attracting investment, supporting industrial growth and advancing regional integration across the COMESA region.