On Thursday, Egypt’s President, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, called for increased efforts from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states to achieve regional integration in response to current challenges, especially with regard to the Sudanese crisis.
This appeal was made at the 22nd COMESA Heads of State and Governments Summit in Lusaka, Zambia.
After a two-year presidency of the 21-member continental bloc, Egypt passed the baton to Zambia. El-Sisi commended Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, expressing confidence in his ability to build on Egypt’s achievements.
El-Sisi reflected on Egypt’s priorities during its presidency, including the enhancement of economic integration rates to improve the populace’s well-being and fortify peace and security in member countries. However, he underscored that there is still work to be done for regional integration to effectively confront current challenges.
Under Egypt’s chairmanship, intra-COMESA trade skyrocketed to a record $13 billion in 2022. El-Sisi also praised the Cairo-based COMESA Regional Investment Agency’s (RIA) role in this development. Further, Egypt, as COMESA chair, prioritized activating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to stimulate economic growth. The trade exchange volume between Egypt and COMESA countries reached a peak of $4.3 billion in 2022.
El-Sisi also shed light on harmonizing efforts between Egypt and the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area, urging member states to implement customs exemptions and facilitate trade exchange.
Egypt, during its presidency, focused on infrastructure, championing interconnection projects like the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP) in collaboration with Tanzania. Another highlight was the naval route interconnection project between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea.
Addressing the ongoing Sudanese crisis, El-Sisi called for solidarity among member states to support Sudan’s population. Egypt, as Sudan’s immediate neighbor, continues to host Sudanese refugees, providing aid and engaging with international mechanisms to restore security and stability in Sudan.
El-Sisi also highlighted Egypt’s role as a regional hub for manufacturing pharmaceuticals and vaccines, providing 30 million Coronavirus vaccine doses to several African countries.
He concluded by reiterating Egypt’s commitment to fostering African development and fulfilling its role as the head of the post-conflict reconstruction and development file in the African Union. Egypt has proposed the establishment of a COMESA Health Committee, marking its ambition to invest in this vital area. The country has also announced its candidacy for the African and Peace Security Council for 2024-2026.
