What is stopping us from having freedom of movement on the continent we want?

Free movement of persons protocol: Implementation barriers and proposed solutions

The voices advocating for a common African market are growing louder, emphasizing the activation of the protocol on the free movement of individuals and urging African countries to ratify it, as it is crucial to achieving the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area. It is illogical for African countries to facilitate the movement of goods and services without addressing policies related to individual mobility, such as visa procedures, residence laws, and freedom of entry and exit, free from bureaucratic and administrative restrictions. The flexibility of individual movement strengthens labor markets in African countries by enabling local companies facing skill shortages to hire from neighboring nations.

For example, Mauritania has relied on Tunisian expertise in digital transformation projects and in bolstering the communications sector launched years ago. This cooperation is less expensive than bringing in experts from Europe or Asia and offers significant economic benefits to the cooperating countries, including the creation of job opportunities for young Tunisians in engineering and communications. The Africa Visa Openness Report 2020 also notes that “African countries that have relaxed visa regimes and adopted visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies have seen economic benefits in recent years, attracting increasing numbers of business and leisure travelers.”

1. Protocol on the Freedom of Movement of Persons: The Dream of the Africa We Want

The protocol serves as a mechanism to implement the Abuja Agreement, which enshrines the Right of Movement of Persons, the Right of Entry, the Right of Residence, and the Right of Establishment across the African continent. For the agreement to come into force, ratification by eleven countries is required. To date, thirty-three African nations have signed the protocol, but only four have ratified it.

Imagine traveling across the continent with no visas or administrative hurdles, relying solely on your African identity and passport. This vision challenges the colonial borders imposed by former colonizers, which have long obstructed Africa’s unity and renaissance. The freedom of movement within the continent is more than a policy; it is a tangible expression of the African unity envisioned by iconic leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Thomas Sankara, and others who championed a unified geographical and political destiny under the banner of The Africa We Want.

As Kwame Nkrumah, the father of African unity, wrote in his 1963 book Africa Must Unite:“The complete unification of the African economy on a continental scale is the only means for African countries to reach a level comparable to the industrialized nations.”

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 identifies the free movement of people as a critical tool to achieve the continent’s development aspirations. It envisions a stable, secure, and economically prosperous Africa, where people act as the drivers, agents, and beneficiaries of growth and development.

2.The Free Movement of Individuals: Goals and Barriers

1. Goals of the Free Movement of IndividualsThe free movement of individuals aims to achieve several key objectives: increasing trade flows, enhancing domestic tourism, creating job opportunities, supporting the services sector, facilitating the transportation of people and goods, and advancing the goal of continental integration—a vision championed by the African Union Commission since its establishment.

2. Obstacles and Barriers to ImplementationDespite its benefits, the implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Individuals faces significant controversy and challenges, particularly in creating unified policies across the continent. The European Union serves as a model, where decades of collaboration, dialogue, and strategic projects—including the promotion of a unified currency—transformed the region into a borderless space. In the EU, individuals can move freely between member states, enjoying additional privileges if they are entrepreneurs or investors. Achieving similar progress in Africa requires overcoming the following barriers:

a. Political Barriers

Political challenges are among the most significant obstacles to implementing free movement policies. These include:

• Historical factors: Deep-seated principles of national sovereignty and concerns over losing control of borders.
• Security threats: The prevalence of terrorist organizations, political instability, and civil wars. Weak security policies in some nations exacerbate these threats, making free movement appear risky.
• Preparedness: Inadequate state readiness to manage and secure borders could compromise public security in vulnerable contexts.

b. Social, Economic, and Cultural Barriers

• Cultural and linguistic diversity: Differences in religions, local languages, and traditions hinder effective communication and social cohesion across the continent.
• Economic pressures: Demographic shifts, competition for limited jobs, and pressure on economic resources create resistance to free movement.
• Youth unemployment: With youth unemployment being a critical issue in many African countries, governments prioritize protecting local job markets for their citizens.

c. Capacity and Capability Barriers

• Limited resources: African countries allocate insufficient budgets to human resources, scientific research, and skills development centers essential for managing the movement of people.
• Governance challenges: Weak political resolve, inadequate border governance, and limited capacity to handle cross-border threats such as terrorism and disease outbreaks hamper progress.

The Disconnect Between Will and Action

While political will for free movement has existed since the Organization of African Unity was founded in 1963, it has yet to be translated into decisive action. The absence of necessary leadership, logistical and financial support, and a coordinated strategy delays the realization of this vision.

3. Proposed Solutions

1. Expedite Ratification of the ProtocolAfrican countries must accelerate the ratification process for the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons. Opening borders to facilitate the movement of people fosters economic exchanges, drives social and economic development, and serves as a cornerstone for the success of African integration.
2. Develop Mobility Policies and PracticesCollaborate with African Union member states to design, develop, and implement improved mobility policies. This is crucial as most mobility services on the continent are operated by foreign companies, often at high costs. By creating locally driven solutions, African nations can ensure accessibility and affordability for their citizens.
3. Promote Inter-African SolidarityStrengthen communication among African peoples to foster a sense of brotherhood, citizenship, and mutual respect. Actively combat xenophobia, racism, and all forms of violence or discrimination based on gender, color, religion, or language.
4. Utilize Media to Advocate African UnityLeverage media platforms to promote the idea of African unity. Intensify content on African cooperation, shared destinies, and the possibilities of achieving the African renaissance through horizontal cooperation among nations.
5. Leverage Technology for Policy ImplementationUtilize information technology, data systems, and electronic translation to streamline the implementation of laws related to customs, immigration, residence, and public health. These tools can help track civil records, identify individuals with pending legal issues, and ensure efficient cross-border governance.
6. Protect Migrants and WorkersEnact robust laws and regulations to safeguard the rights of migrants and workers. Address issues such as exploitation, unethical recruitment practices, and human trafficking. Ensure mechanisms are in place to prevent abuse and uphold the dignity of migrant workers.

Conclusion

Despite the numerous challenges and barriers, the dream of The Africa We Want remains alive and achievable. The activation of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area are essential steps for overcoming national legal and legislative constraints. These efforts are vital to addressing the economic, political, and social challenges posed by globalization and the advent of the fifth industrial revolution.

Achieving this vision requires a genuine commitment to coexistence and a firm political will to respect and implement the standards set by the African Union. If African nations embrace these measures, the continent can draw inspiration from the European model of economic and social integration while paving its unique path to achieving the goals of Agenda 2063—a stable, prosperous, and united Africa.

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