Press Release

COMESA to Expand Trading for Peace Initiative

 | Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DfID)-UK, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will hold a two-day regional Forum in Lusaka (Zambia) on 19-20th March 2009 to review the accomplishments and lessons learned from the COMESA Trading for Peace Project started at the end of 2006.

Following a Decision by the Seventh Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Djibouti in 2006, COMESA, DFID and USAID have been working in partnership on a project entitled “Trading for Peace” (TfP).

This project started with an initial research phase that looked into the trade flows of natural resources in the Great Lakes Region, and particularly the DRC with the view of informing post conflict reconstruction and development strategies. The project has the objective of enhancing sustainable and equitable use of natural resources in the DRC, in the interest of regional stability and poverty eradication. 

The regional forum in Lusaka will bring together close to 100 delegates including ministers, senior government officials, parliamentarians, traders, and non-governmental organisations from the Great Lakes Region (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia). International and partner organizations and the media will also participate in assessing achievements so far and to help plan for important next steps for the future.

This second phase of the Trading for Peace project, which followed the research phase, concludes this March but prior to this, a series of Fora were held on Capacity Building and Cross-Border Trade Facilitation at various border posts between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the neighbouring countries, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.  In addition the project hosted two Parliamentarian Fora designed to enhance their role, particularly in advocating for the implementation of the decisions that are made pertaining to the objectives of the Project.   

Training Seminars for DRC customs officials and cross-border traders were held to create greater understanding and awareness of good governance at the border post.

Finally, in January, the project completed the establishment of a Trade Information Desk at Kasumbalesa border, DRC. This desk is supplying traders in the region with vital information pertaining to the correct procedures on cross border trade, their rights and obligations, information on taxes and duties payable on respective goods among other important information. 

These opportunities for interaction at the various levels between countries of the Great Lakes region have also helped to enhance relationships between the different countries, as noted by several participants at the various cross border fora held during the year. 

The upcoming Lusaka forum will therefore offer an opportunity for stakeholders to engage on a personal level and exchange information on the successes and challenges of the Trading for Peace project.  The representatives will also begin to chart forward important next steps in light of continuing regional challenges.