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people to work in developmental activities. Once peace prevails in DRC, the regional economic partners need to persuade investing in the country. The Great Lakes region will support the developmental activities provided peace and security prevails in DRC. The summit decided in 15 points to strengthen the peace, security and development agenda. One of the major decisions under COMESA (Decision 29.d) says: “Express its willingness to support and advise key state institutions on the implementation of the new constitution and the completion of legal reforms agreed upon at the InterCongolese dialogue (such as devolution of central government responsibilities to the newly created provinces, judicial reform and anti-corruption legislation)” (MOFA: 13-14). COMESA needs to initiate the reconstruction programmes with the help of AU, MONUC and other regional organisations, which will strengthen the peace agenda. 3. The Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Situation The MOFA Seventh Meeting decided to take immediate concrete steps to implement the Algiers Agreement, known as the Ethiopia Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) judgment. The 12th Summit noted that there had not been any progress in implementing the decisions taken in the 7th MOFA Meeting and urged a holistic approach to the situation to allow dialogue and demarcation to proceed. COMESA encouraged the Boundary Commission to continue consulting on practical steps required in order for demarcation to proceed (including security, logistics, transportation, funding), with a view to ensuring that these elements were put in practice. It encouraged the AU, the EU and the UN, witness to the original accords, to continue working together to forge a process of de-escalation, border demarcation and bilateral dialogue (MOFA: 10). Along with it, MOFA under Decision 27 (A) stated that “Eritrea reverses, without further delay or pre-conditions its decision to ban UNMEE helicopter flights as well as additional restrictions as imposed on the Operations of UNMEE and provide UNMEE with the access, assistance, support and protection required to the performance of its duties” (MOFA: 10). But there was no progress noted after the 11th summit in the case of Ethiopia-Eritrea decision on 27 a, b and c and MOFA assessed the situation again during the 12th Summit. MOFA reviewed the situation on the Eritrea-Ethiopia boundary dispute and noted the following: a) There has been no progress on the issues around the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary dispute during the review period; b) Ethiopia’s full and unequivocal acceptance of the ruling of the Boundary Commission as final and binding; c) Eritrea’s readiness to start dialogue with Ethiopia aimed at the normalisation of relations after the demarcation of the boundary in accordance with accepted principles of international law and practice (MOFA: 15). The Ministers invited the Authority to consider the recommendations that COMESA should: a) Urge a holistic approach to the situation to allow dialogue and demarcation to proceed;
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b) Urge de-escalation by both parties of political and military tensions in order to create a conducive environment to both demarcation and dialogue; c) Encourage the Boundary Commission to continue consulting on practical steps required in order for demarcation to proceed (including security, logistics, transportation, funding), with a view to ensuring that these elements are put in practice; and d) Encourage the AU, the EU and the UN who witnessed the original accords to continue working together to forge a process of de-escalation, border demarcation and bilateral dialogue (MOFA: 15) Along with it, “the ministers took note of Eritrea’s request to Ethiopia to write to the United Nations Security Council expressing its full and unequivocal acceptance of the decision of the Boundary Commission” (MOFA: 16). As a land-locked country, Ethiopia needs viable sea connectivity for economic development. The EEBC is an agreement carried out under international law and it should be respected. The demarcation work should not delayed by political compulsions. Once demarcated, Eritrea needs to persuade to facilitate its sea port for Ethiopia under international rules. COMESA needs to foster a positive synergy between these two countries, which will help to promote the people’s welfare and regional connectivity to persuade peace and economic development. 4. The Case of Darfur in Sudan There is a need to understand why we are talking about a peace process and its implementation in Darfur. Why there is no peace in the region ultimately is the result of the lopsided development policies of the central government. Today the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) of May 5, 2006 is the instrument which can help rectify the past mistakes of regional underdevelopment that is accepted by the Government of Sudan (GoS). COMESA noted that there were still significant humanitarian challenges in Darfur, which require urgent and decisive remedial action so as to alleviate the plight of the civilian population, particularly women and children (MOFA: 16). It also took note of UN Security Council resolution 1706, the Tripoli Consensus of April 28-29, 2007, and the Zambia request to visit Darfur and its acceptance by Sudan and further recommended that Sudan continue creating in Darfur an environment conducive to the success of the UN-AU mission to maintain peace and to bring a lasting peace in Darfur (MOFA: 18). It further “stress the importance of establishing a new framework of transparency and cooperation between the Sudanese government and the AU and the UN to implement their agreements, especially those concerning the UN support for the AU peacekeeping force in Darfur” (MOFA: 18). Recently, five Darfur opposition groups formed a United Front for Liberation and Development (UFLD) and shared their opinion at a meeting in Libya July 16-18, 2007. To go forward in the existing environment for peace and development, the following points need to taken care of:
August-October 2007