From 10–11 July 2025, ACCORD convened a Strategic Senior Management Consultation with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in Durban, South Africa. Assistant Secretary General: Programmes, Ambassador Dr Mohamed Kadah led the COMESA delegation, while ACCORD’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr Vasu Gounden headed the ACCORD delegation.
The consultation provided an opportunity for ACCORD and COMESA to reflect on their longstanding collaboration and to formalise a renewed commitment through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This engagement aligns with ACCORD’s strategic objective of strengthening the institutional capacities of Regional Economic Communities to effectively respond to complex and evolving conflicts across the continent.
The meeting opened with a reflection on the history of cooperation between ACCORD and COMESA, as well as an assessment of the current peace and security challenges facing the region. Both institutions underscored the urgent need to reinforce African-led mechanisms and broaden joint initiatives in conflict prevention, early warning, mediation, Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), and Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD). They reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing programmes aimed at stabilising the region and fostering sustainable peace.
The partners thereafter used the platform to highlight key achievements and lessons learned, reflecting on the notable joint initiatives which included the 2024 Mediation Workshop for the COMESA Committee of Elders, the International Relations Society of Kenya’s Annual Conference. Various contributions to the African Journal on Conflict Resolution, among others were also discussed. The consultation also focused on ongoing and planned activities, offering both institutions the opportunity to align priorities and identify areas requiring deeper partnership.
The second day centred on exploring future avenues for collaboration, culminating in the development of a joint action plan outlining short- and long-term activities in support of peace and security in the COMESA region. Proposed initiatives included experience-sharing workshops; Youth, Peace and Security dialogues; and a range of capacity-building programmes.
The consultation concluded with the formal signing of the new MoU, underscoring ACCORD and COMESA’s continued commitment to strengthening collaborative efforts in peacebuilding, both within the COMESA region and across the African continent.
