Lusaka, Zambia, July 20, 2018/- The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has new members in the family. At the recently held COMESA Heads of State and Government’s Summit in Lusaka, Somalia re-joined the organization as the 21st member of the family, while Tunisia became the 20th participant.
Somalia was formerly a full member of the Preferential Trade Area for Eastern and Southern Africa (PTA), the predecessor to COMESA. However, it failed to make the transition due to lack of government following a long civil war. Tunisia first applied for observer status in COMESA in 2005 but the matter was not concluded.
“Today signed Somalia’s re-entry to COMESA, our return to this 21 nation trading block is a testimony to our relentless efforts to rebuild our nation, and a true indication of our commitment to taking our rightful place in the growth of our region and our continent,” the country’s Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, wrote on his social media handle.
The Heads of State and Governments Summit is the pinnacle of COMESA’s annual assembly. It is the rare opportunity that brings together Heads of State and Government of the different COMESA Countries. This is the supreme policy-making organ and is also referred to as the COMESA Authority. It is responsible for the general policy direction and control of the performance of the executive functions of COMESA. It is headed by a Chairman elected for an agreed period. The Authority meets once a year.
COMESA appoints first female Secretary General
Meanwhile, COMESA created history as it appointed Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe as the new and the first female Secretary General. She takes over from Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya who has retired after the expiry of his term of office. Also sworn in was a new Assistant Secretary General for Finance and Budget Mr. Dev Haman and Assistant SG in charge of programmes Dr Kipyego Cheluget whose contract has been renewed.
