Some migration experts on Thursday called for increased political will from leaders of member states towards the implementation of the African Union’s Free Movement Protocol.
The experts made the call during the African Union Economic, Social, and Cultural Council’s (AU-ECOSOCC) Free Movement Protocol webinar with the theme “Balancing Free Movement of Persons and Security.”
The webinar was organised to discuss the challenges and opportunities for AU member states and other stakeholders in the quest to achieve easier movement across the borders of Africa.
Dr. Ahmed Bugre, Senior Advisor on Migration, AU Commission, said free movement on the continent was a member-state-driven process.
He noted that member states had been signing the AFCFTA but were reluctant to do the same on the FMP.
“Member states seem to fear losing out on visa remittances whenever free movement across borders is raised.
“We still see that AFCFTA will enhance the movement of people in Africa. Let’s take advantage of the harmonisation of visa regimes.”
Bugre said a major concern of member states was security because some countries were still plagued by conflict.
According to him, the issue lies in countries not wanting insecurity in other places to spill into theirs.
He called on more member state leaders to engage their peers on the FMP, adding that free movement of people in Africa does not mean a borderless continent.
“The AU is in the process of identifying a champion to push the adoption of the FMP across the continent.
“Generally, mobility in Africa is quite easy, and the free movement of people was conceived as a vehicle for integration of the African continent,” Bugre said.
Ottilia Maunganidze, Head of Special Projects at the Institute of Security Studies, said one of the main hurdles to the ratification of the FMP was security concerns raised by some states.
Highlighting the seventh migration policy framework, border management and security, Maunganidze said the need for free movement as a key pillar for development on the African continent was not without recognising the need for border security.
On her part, while the majority of Africans do move within the continent, most people want to stay at home.
“Whether or not they want to go to the neighboring countries for trade to buy goods or temporarily for educational purposes, the majority of Africans prefer to stay at home.
“The restrictions that aid this relate to security concerns and visa restrictions, among others. The Free Movement Protocol addresses these issues.
“The plans for the free movement process on the African continent are not to say that people throw away their identity documents or their passports; that will still be a requirement. But rather, people can move more freely between countries.”
She said member states must not have the conversations about security on immigration as if they are separated.
She said that consultation and engagement must happen between countries so that agreements and assurances are reached to ensure this.
“Africa is a young continent, so it is important to involve the youth. No conversation about migration can be had without talking about its accompanying security,” she said.
Ms. Isandra Ralaizanadraoto, Chairperson of the Trade and Industry Cluster Committee, ECOSOCC, called for the building of an Africa that has zero barriers, where mobility is an engine of growth and not a cause of division.
“The AU’s protocol of free movement of people represents the aspiration of over one billion people, and since its creation in 2019, only four countries have ratified it.
“It’s up to us all to work hand in hand, with diligence, to act and make this document a reality. Let’s accelerate our efforts in that sense.
“Even if the road is long, let’s be guided by Pan-Africanism and have a collective will,” she said. (NAN)
