The 20th Meeting of the COMESA Peace and Security Committee was held virtually from September 29-30, 2025, to review regional peace and security issues and guide collective responses among the 21-member trade bloc. The past year saw the region facing numerous challenges, including armed conflicts, transnational organized crime, terrorism and climate-induced insecurity, all requiring coordinated efforts.
In his opening remarks, Amb. Dr. Mohamed Kadah Assistant Secretary General for Programmes (ASGP) emphasized the importance of the Committee as a platform for Member States to deliberate on these issues and provide strategic guidance. He highlighted the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” advocating for homegrown, inclusive and sustainable interventions. The ASGP reaffirmed that peace and security are central to COMESA’s agenda and without stability, efforts to boost trade, investment and meet the goals of Agenda 2063 and the COMESA Treaty cannot succeed
Committee Chairperson Mr. Ferdinand Bashikako, who is Burundi’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, noted that the region recorded mixed progress over the period from November 2024 to September 2025. While some peace processes advanced, the region continued to face violence, political tensions and humanitarian crises. Key conflict zones discussed included Ethiopia, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and eastern DR Congo, all of which remain unstable and require attention.
The meeting also reviewed recent elections within COMESA, the progress of flagship programmes such as the COMESA Conflict Early Warning System (COMWARN), Conflict Prevention and Management initiatives, the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Programme, efforts for Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC), climate security initiatives and measures against terrorism, violent extremism, money laundering,and terrorism financing (AML/CFT).
Further discussions highlighted Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development efforts through the “Trade for Peace” Programme, underscoring the link between economic integration and peace. The Committee emphasized that sustainable peace depends on regional solidarity, cooperation, prevention, democratic governance, social inclusion and resilience against emerging threats.
The report from this meeting will be presented to the upcoming COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting on October 8, 2025, in Kenya, setting the stage for further regional action to address ongoing peace and security challenges.