Observatory on Regional Integration in Africa
Brazzaville, Congo, 14 February 2018 (ECA) - The electronic investment platform, the iGuide, developed by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with UNCTAD, was recently unveiled by the Investment Promotion Agency (API) of the Republic of the Congo in Brazzaville. The initiative promotes the investment potential of the country.
The Committee on Regional Cooperation and Integration (CRCI) was established by resolution 827 (XXXII) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers. The Committee meets on a biennial basis at ECA to review the work undertaken in the current biennium under subprogramme 2 on regional integration and trade. It also uses the opportunity to review and deliberate on developments in the sectoral areas under the coverage of the subprogramme and make recommendations that are to guide the work under the subprogramme during the next biennium.
In 2012, the African Union Summit made a decision on boosting intra-African trade and fast-tracking the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). To achieve the objective, the decision provided that the CFTA negotiations were to be tentatively completed by 2017. In addition, an action plan on BIAT was also adopted, with the aim of doubling intra-African trade within a decade.
There are two primary legal instruments governing the free movement of people in COMESA, the Protocol on the Gradual Relaxation and Eventual Elimination of Visa Requirements, and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Labour, Services, the Right of Establishment and Residence. Since the adoption of the Free Movement Protocol in June 1998, only Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia have signed, and Burundi being the only country ratifying it.
Based on article 1 of the Treaty Establishing CEN-SAD, free movement of people is a core objective of this regional economic community. It stipulates that the same rights, advantages and obligations granted to a member State’s own citizens should be applied to nationals of the signatory countries, in conformity with the provisions of their respective constitutions.
The progressive realisation of the free movement of persons is one of the main objectives of AMU. Three AMU member States have implemented the freedom of movement protocol, namely, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. Of these, Tunisia is currently the only state that allows citizens from fellow member States to access its territories freely.
One of the main objectives of the SADC Treaty is the promotion of policies that aim to eliminate obstacles to the free movement of persons in the region. A draft Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons within SADC was introduced in 1996, but was replaced by the more restrictive Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons in 1997. The restriction was due to the income disparities that create imbalances in migration flows between member States.
The aims and objectives listed in article 7 of the Agreement Establishing IGAD, states that member States are to promote the free movement of goods, services, and persons as well as the establishment of residence. Nevertheless, IGAD does not have a protocol on free movement of persons.[1] Member States do, however, practice the free movement of persons in the region on a bilateral basis. Ethiopia and Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti, along with Kenya and Uganda, all have bilateral agreements in place to waive visa requirements.
In May 1979, ECOWAS member States adopted their first protocol relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment.[1] It stipulated the right of ECOWAS citizens to enter, reside and establish economic activities in the territory of other member states and offers a three step roadmap of five years each to achieve fre
The free movement of persons in EAC can be traced back to the Treaty for East African Cooperation between Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania from 1967, which ensured the free movement of persons within the region as one of the key cooperation elements.