By: Yolokazi Mfuto
On 25 May 1963, the African Union was established, and until 9th July 2002, it was known as the Organisation for African Unity (OAU). The fundamental principle of this union was to liberate African states and drive economic prosperity for all. Exactly fifty-five years ago, a historic agreement was designed to encourage the free movement of people, products, and services years across African borders. The African Union Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Right of Establishment. This Protocol aims to strengthen economic growth, sociocultural relations between member states, and strengthen regional integration. To date, thirty-three Member States have so far signed the protocol, and Rwanda, Niger, Mali, and Sao Tome and Principe have deposited four ratifications.
The Free Movement of Persons in Africa concept is firmly anchored in Agenda 2063’s Aspiration 2, which describes how Africa would become a politically unified and aligned continent based on Pan-Africanism and the region’s vision of African Renaissance. The idea is for Africa to be a united continent by 2063. A world-class, integrative continent with the perfect infrastructure crisscrossing the continent, dynamic and mutually beneficial ties with its Diaspora, a continent with seamless borders and cross-border resource management through dialogue, a continent where the free movement of people, capital, goods, and services will lead to unprecedented levels of trade and investment among African countries and will strengthen Africa’s position in global trade.
This ideal is further derived from the “Building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.” This is the definition of the African vision, framed by the collective foresight of the African Union. “Free movement of persons and the African Passport” is also the foundation of this vision, which aims to transform African laws that are restrictive to confining borders and promote integration of economies through free movement of people.
Some of the objectives of the Protocol include:
The Protocol has some lucrative rights which could propel Africans forward. Some of them are as follows:
One of the major challenges that affects the Implementation of the Protocol is that it requires ratification by at least 15 member states to come into effect. Secondly, countries need to amend national laws to align with the Protocol’s provisions and domesticate the protocol. This has been a hassle; however other countries are still lobbying. Some leaders have also raised concerns including potential security risks, loss of jobs for locals, strain on public services, and political resistance from some member states. Countries must ratify this protocol if we all want to attain Agenda 2063. Some of the benefits shall include economic growth and enhanced trade because businesses could extend the market, particularly alongside the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
There will be more investments in intra-Africa commerce, especially in business and tourism. Furthermore, there would be unity and integration in the region. That would also translate into political stability as the regions are united. Lastly, the ability and freedom to travel freely promotes cross-cultural communication and collaboration between various African cultures.
Yolokazi Mfuto is a communications strategist at the DDP and writes in her personal capacity.