KHARTOUM (SUNA) – The 25th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) concluded in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, with the participation of Prime Minister Professor Kamil Idris and his accompanying delegation. In a press statement in Harare, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ambassador Mohi-Eddin Salem said the Prime Minister delivered Sudan’s statement before the summit, which adopted a final communiqué containing strong resolutions that described the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a rebel militia and supported the Hope Government’s plans for recovery and its continued pursuit of sustainable development. The Foreign Minister said the summit presented numerous plans and programs in line with COMESA’s strategy, which falls within the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He noted that Sudan participated at all three levels of the summit: experts, ministers, and heads of state and government. He expressed hope that the adopted resolutions would make a genuine contribution to African integration and help develop sustainable solutions to the continent’s challenges. Ambassador Salem explained that the summit was held under the theme “One Market, One Future,” reflecting the vision of economic integration among African countries. He added that the Sudanese delegation focused, as part of its contributions, on the dangers posed by the cross-border movement of militias and terrorist groups and their adverse impact on the economy. He pointed out that many African countries had been negatively affected by these militias, which contribute significantly to exacerbating internal tensions within communities and facilitate the trafficking of drugs and other harmful substances and goods that affect young people and women and undermine the development of African societies. Ambassador Mohi-Eddin Salem underscored the importance of the summit for the Government of Sudan, particularly as the government had concluded the Hope Strategic Forum, which produced a unified strategic vision for all state institutions. He said Sudan’s participation came at an opportune time and carried considerable significance. He noted that the summit also provided opportunities for bilateral meetings held by Prime Minister Professor Kamil Idris with the president of host country Zimbabwe, Kenyan President William Ruto, the President of Zambia, COMESA’s Secretary-General, and several heads of delegation. These meetings focused on developing and strengthening avenues of cooperation between Sudan and the respective countries. The Foreign Minister affirmed that Sudan, together with its African partners, could achieve integration across many areas of trade, industry, and the economy by benefiting from the comparative advantages offered by member countries within the regional bloc. Ambassador Mohi-Eddin Salem concluded that the summit’s deliberations at the technical, ministerial, and presidential levels offered Sudan valuable perspectives to draw upon as it recovers and moves forward toward a decisive victory.BH/BH