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Burundi to host regional African summit in 2017

Xinhua, September 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Burundi will host a summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in 2017 and preparations are moving well, COMESA chief said here Wednesday after meeting Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza.

"I am glad to say that the Burundian president reiterated the willingness, commitment and readiness of Burundi to host the COMESA summit in 2017," said Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

According to him, Burundi will assume the vice-chairmanship of the COMESA for one year after the COMESA summit due in Madagascar on Oct. 18-19 this year before taking the chairmanship in 2017.

Ngwenya indicated that the COMESA is closely following the inter-Burundian talks co-facilitated by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.

He said, "The COMESA family supports all initiatives leading to sustainable peace because a peaceful Burundi is a peaceful and prosperous COMESA as without peace and stability and economic prosperity in Burundi, we cannot all be prosperous."

The COMESA is the largest regional economic organization in Africa, with 19 member states and a population of about 390 million.

The COMESA has a free trade area and launched a customs union in 2009. Endit