During the recent meeting of the Council of Ministers, Marie Chantal Nijimbere, the Burundian Minister of Commerce, presented an official note regarding Burundi’s accession to the Intergovernmental Permanent Committee on Maritime Transport (ISCOS), now known as the Maritime Organization for East, South, and North Africa (MOESNA). This organization is responsible for protecting and coordinating maritime interests and navigation within the region.
According to Ms. Nijimbere, Burundi’s membership in this organization will help protect Burundian importers and exporters from high costs imposed by major shipping companies, insurance providers, freight forwarders, and other intermediaries.
Founded in 1967 by Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, ISCOS—now MOESNA—aims to promote, protect, and coordinate interests related to the maritime transport of goods.
One of MOESNA’s primary objectives is to improve maritime infrastructure in the region by strengthening ports and other facilities to secure and enhance maritime operations, thus reducing vulnerabilities associated with inadequate infrastructure.
According to Museba Frank Tayali, Zambian Minister of Transport and President of MOESNA, over 80% of international trade relies on maritime transport. However, Africa has limited control over the ships carrying its goods, which exposes the continent to fluctuations in global rates and restricted negotiating power.
Following a thorough analysis, the Burundian Council of Ministers has authorized the notification of Burundi’s accession to this organization, as stated in a press release from the meeting. Burundi’s decision to join MOESNA aligns with a growing regional trend.
Since September 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia have also joined MOESNA, bringing the total number of members to six: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia.
Source: iwacu
