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COMESA SUMMIT IN KIGALI

President Yoweri Museveni called upon Member States of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to expedite the implementation and expansion of organisation’s free trade area and customs union with a common external tariff in order to minimise external shocks and participate in the global economy as partners.

President Museveni made the remarks while handing over the Chairmanship of COMESA to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at Hotel Inter-Continental, Kigali.

President Kagame addressing the COMESA Summit, June 02, 2005.

Heads of State and government of COMESA member countries who attended included, Presidents Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Omar el Bashir of Sudan, Levy Mwanawesa of Zambia, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, and King Mswati of Swaziland among others. President Obasanjo of Nigeria also attended in his
capacity as the Chairman of the African Union.

First Ladies also concurrently held their second round table meeting under the theme “Economic Empowerment of Women and the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in our Region”.

President Museveni highlighted major developments in the region during the period of his Chairmanship. He said conflicts have abated within the COMESA region under the auspices of the African Union and other organisations such as the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

He noted that the African Union Commission had provided a framework for conflict prevention management and resolution. He commended the organisation for not only launching the African Union Parliament but also the African Peace and Security Council. He said the COMESA Peace and Security Committee had also contributed to the on-going efforts on conflict prevention, management and resolution. President Museveni observed that other major developments in the area included putting in place a more stable macro-economic framework as well as creating a more favourable environment for private sector growth. He informed the Summit that COMESA welcomed the report of the Commission for Africa in particular with reference to the United Nations’ millennium project report and plans by the British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair to put African issues as a priority agenda item at the G8 Summit.

President Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame, at the earlier meeting.

The President reported that substantial progress had been made in the electoral process following the democratisation move now taking place in the region. He informed the Summit that women had also been empowered in various areas such as politics. He cited Rwanda where the majority of Parliamentarians are women. Regarding trade, President Museveni noted that a lot is being done to address the decline in the performance of the sector through strengthening regional cooperation as well as articulating the interests of the region in respect of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He called for removal of trade distortions that still exist despite the AGOA initiative of the United States government and the Everything But Arms (EBA)policy of the European Union that have improved market access.

The President urged COMESA member countries to expedite the conclusion of the DOHA Development Round Conference and to ensure that the WTO prioritises development at the next Conference in Hong Kong later this year.

Welcoming Heads of State and Government to Rwanda, President Paul Kagame pointed out that their presence was a sign of solidarity and a vote of confidence in the people of Rwanda after the1994 genocide.

He said COMESA is an instrument for achieving development and peace in the Member States. He stressed the need for integration, as the best way to access regional and international markets.

President Kagame hailed President Museveni for having steered COMESA affairs diligently and successfully in the last 12 months. He reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to the organisation and pledged his commitment to addressing the challenges facing the region.

The Summit admitted Libya into COMESA, becoming its 20th Member. The Heads of State also decided that the Candidature of Dr. Donald Kaberuka of Rwanda, for the position of President of the African Development Bank (ADB), be supported by COMESA Member States.

President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, described the COMESA Summit as an avenue that would lead to greater integration and cooperation in Africa.

He emphasised the need to improve the infrastructure in the region and appealed to development partners to encourage their private sector to intervene in this area.

Uganda’s delegation at the summit included the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Beatrice Wabudeya, Hon.Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Daudi Migereko, Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry, and other senior officials.

Over 2000 delegates attended the two-day Summit.

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