HE Dr. William Samoei Arap Ruto, CGH
President of the Republic of Kenya Chair of the COMESA Authority
The COMESA Heads of State and Government
It is also known as the COMESA Conference and is composed of the 21 Heads of State and Government of the member states. It is the supreme governing body responsible for the general policy, direction, and oversight of the execution of COMESA’s executive functions. The Conference focuses on the strategic trajectory of the region as well as the achievement of the bloc’s objectives. The decisions and directives of the Heads of State are taken by consensus and are binding on all subordinate institutions, with the exception of the Court of Justice.
The Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers is the second-highest governing body of COMESA. It is composed of ministers appointed by the Member States. The Council is responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of COMESA in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty. It also makes political decisions on COMESA’s programs and activities, including monitoring and reviewing its financial and administrative management. As stipulated in the Treaty, Council decisions are taken by consensus; failing that, they are taken by a two-thirds majority of the Council members.
Decision-making process
COMESA has developed a comprehensive decision-making structure, at the apex of which is the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the 21 member countries. This is complemented by a Council of Ministers responsible for policy development, 12 technical committees, and a number of other advisory bodies (including those focused on specific relations with partner countries and best practices). In addition, each member state appoints liaison officers within their respective ministries who are part of the day-to-day communication process. Overall coordination is provided by the Secretariat, based in Lusaka, Zambia.
The organizational structure
