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Title: The participation of the Congolese Minister of Justice at the COMESA meeting in Zambia
Introduction :
The Minister of State for Justice, Rose Mutombo, representing the Democratic Republic of Congo, recently took part in the 26th meeting of Justice Ministers of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) which took place held in Lusaka, Zambia. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss several topics of regional importance, such as the creation of the regional investment agency and the regulation on the appointment of members of the Council of Competition Commissioners.
A fruitful exchange with Zambia:
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Congolese Minister of Justice had the opportunity to speak with her Zambian counterpart, Mulambo Haimbe. The discussions focused on several topics of bilateral interest, including the situation of Congolese detained in Zambia, judicial cooperation between the two countries and the role of Zambian prisoners in agricultural production and livestock breeding.
Common concerns:
The issue of Congolese detained in Zambia constitutes a major concern for the two ministers. Rose Mutombo expressed her desire to better understand the situation of these detainees, particularly with regard to the details of their arrest and the duration of their detention. For his part, Mulambo Haimbe shared the initiatives taken by his government to better assess the Zambian prison population, notably through an ongoing audit in all the country’s prisons.
Strengthened cooperation:
During their meeting, the ministers also discussed the need to strengthen judicial cooperation between the DRC and Zambia. They pledged to work together to improve information exchange and facilitate legal procedures between the two countries. In addition, the question of the role of Zambian prisoners in agriculture and livestock breeding was addressed, emphasizing the importance of promoting their social reintegration and their contribution to the national economy.
Conclusion :
The participation of the Congolese Minister of Justice in the COMESA meeting in Zambia demonstrates the DRC’s commitment to strengthening its relations with neighboring countries in the judicial field. The fruitful discussions with Zambia pave the way for closer cooperation in the management of detainees, the fight against cross-border crime and the development of rehabilitation programs. This initiative marks an important step towards better regional integration and the promotion of justice in Eastern and Southern Africa.