Lusaka — The Land Policy Initiative (LPI) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) agreed on the key elements of a work plan for supporting the mainstreaming of land policy and governance in the programmes of the regional organization. The two institutions also identified key elements of a formal agreement that would guide collaboration, technical and financial support, as well as resource mobilisation in the implementation of the work plan.
These are two of the main outcomes of the workshop organized by the LPI in the Zambian capital. The workshop built on previous initiatives of engagement with COMESA, in order to implement one of LPI's strategic objectives: to mainstream land for Africa's development through reviewing the programmes, plans, and initiatives of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
Conducted in an intensive manner including seminar and plenary presentations, and group working sessions, the workshop raised awareness of senior COMESA staff members of the AU agenda on land, and the LPI mandate. The working group sessions identified key entry points on land policy in COMESA programmes related to gender, peace and security, natural resources and environment, and infrastructure. Discussions also focused on modalities to identify potential development partners, and avenues to mobilize resources in support of the COMESA's work plan on land policy.
Welcoming the LPI mission to COMESA, Ambassador Kipyego Cheluget, Assistant Secretary General for COMESA Programmes, noted that key land-related issues needed urgent attention as they impact on COMESA's mandate. These issues include: challenges surrounding large scale land acquisitions and investments; women's access to land and security of rights; and land-related conflicts, insecurity, or ethnic violence. He equally noted the need to build on ongoing efforts by the tripartite partnership of COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to develop land policy programmes in the RECs in Eastern and Southern Africa in order to avoid duplication, and enhance synergies and impact.
The Land Policy Initiative is a joint programme of the tripartite consortium consisting of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Its mandate is to facilitate the implementation of the AU Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges in Africa.
