By 
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has signed a landmark agreement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) aimed at tackling the root causes of conflict, violence, and forced displacement across the region.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on Tuesday at the COMESA Secretariat in Lusaka, will guide cooperation on peacebuilding, reconstruction, socio-economic inclusion, and the strengthening of national institutions for governance and resilience.
COMESA Secretary-General, Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, said the partnership was a strategic step toward consolidating regional and international efforts in promoting peace and stability.
“The MoU offers our two institutions a valuable platform to consolidate efforts in enhancing peace and security within our programme areas, while also creating opportunities for new areas of collaboration,” she said.
Kapwepwe added that the agreement would leverage each organisation’s comparative advantages to mobilise resources for long-term impact. She also reaffirmed that peace and security—as enshrined in Article 3 of the COMESA Treaty—remains central to COMESA’s integration and development strategy.
UNHCR’s Regional Director for Southern Africa, Chansa Kapaya, welcomed the MoU, noting that it reflects a joint commitment to supporting forcibly displaced persons by integrating them into national systems.
“We are meeting at a time when Africa, and indeed the world, is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. More people are being forced to flee their homes and livelihoods in search of protection—whether internally displaced or as refugees in neighbouring countries,” Kapaya said.
According to the UNHCR’s Global Appeal 2025, Africa is currently home to about 54.1 million forcibly displaced people—a figure that continues to rise due to ongoing conflict and climate shocks.
The agreement is expected to serve as a coordinated framework for addressing displacement challenges, while advancing peace building and sustainable development within the COMESA region.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments