Key takeaways from the UN Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes Region
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol III, Issue #130 | Tuesday, October 13, 2020
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Dear Readers,
This Tuesday the UN Security Council held its briefing on the situation in the Great Lakes Region. Special Envoy Huang Xia reported that over the past few months, the situation in the region has remained stable with encouraging progress.
In his remarks, he noted the request for "sustained help" for the region by international financial institutions, the Peacebuilding Commission, and others. He lauded the use of "diplomatic means" and regional entities to resolve regional disputes.
During the briefing, Germany highlighted normalizing "gestures" coming from Burundi but insisted that much more progress needs to be achieved on human rights and the current "narrowing" of democratic space.
The United Kingdom representative noted the political transition in Burundi and said that such a transition must result in a more democratic space, the safe return of the displaced.
Russia once again urged the Security Council to seriously consider taking Burundi off its agenda. China noted a "stabilized and improved" region that can be seized to resolve disputes and challenges through peaceful means.
The USA urged robust dialogue among regional heads of state that can hopefully "trickle-down" to the community level in the form of greater security, economic renewal, inclusive political processes.
Mr. Xia also updated ambassadors on the UN Strategy for Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention, and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region, which his Office has prepared.
Countries and regional partners contributed to the development of the document, which has been submitted to the UN Secretary-General.
The strategy sets out UN action in the region for the coming decade, structured around three pillars: Peace, Security and Justice; Sustainable Development and Shared Prosperity, and Resilience to Former and New Challenges.
IN THE REGION
East Africa Community
October to December is normally considered an important rainfall season for Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, this time round a drier than normal season is expected in most parts of the EAC region. Only western Uganda and the border area with South Sudan might see higher than normal rainfall according to the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum that brings together the national meteorological and hydrological experts in the region. The Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors in the EAC Secretariat, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo urges the Partner States to take appropriate measures in time to mitigate possible threats to the citizens related to the expected high temperatures.
Rains in the region are expected to start late over Burundi, eastern Kenya, and Tanzania while they will start earlier than usual in the rest of Kenya, Rwanda, and southern Uganda including the border region with South Sudan. These weather conditions are driven by near-average sea surface temperatures over the western Equatorial Indian Ocean coupled with warmer than average conditions over the eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean, a combination which is not favorable for good rainfall over most of East Africa. (EAC)
COMESA
The 7th COMESA Annual Research Forum will take place from 19 – 21 October 2020 and this year, the focus is on how intra-COMESA Trade can be harnessed through an interface with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
The virtual event which is being funded by COMESA, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the European Union (EU) will bring together the academia, think tanks, government officers, and the private sector from across the region and Africa, to discuss emerging topical issues in regional integration.
The theme for this year is: “Harnessing Intra-COMESA Trade through the Interface with African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA)”. According to the COMESA Director of Trade, Dr. Christopher Onyango, the theme is motivated by a renewed impetus towards the consolidation of a single continental market and the role of COMESA in the realization of this goal. COMESA is the largest economic bloc with a membership of 21 member States, a combined GDP of US$ 769 billion, a combined population of over 583 million, and therefore a critical pillar in the realization of the African Economic Community.
The African regional integration roadmap considers the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as the building blocks of the African Economic Community as stipulated in the Abuja Treaty of 1991 and the AUs Agenda 2063. COMESA is among the eight RECs in Africa recognized by the AU. (Comesa)
Thanks for reading
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
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