MIDRAND – Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have been urged to lead efforts for the ratification and enforcement of the African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons to unlock the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This call was made by Ms. Rita Amukhobu from the African Union Commission during the recent sitting of PAP’s Permanent Committees held in February at the continental parliament’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.
Amukhobu said the free movement of people is a key component of the AfCFTA’s success and called on parliamentarians to push for stronger political will across member states. Despite slow uptake, there have been some signs of progress. Currently, 24 countries have introduced e-visa systems while 33 others allow visa-free travel for citizens of at least ten African countries.
However, uneven policy adoption, security fears, and political hesitation are still preventing the Protocol from being widely accepted.
To address this, PAP members were encouraged to launch continent-wide awareness campaigns, work with Goodwill Ambassadors, drive alignment of national policies, and secure funding for implementation.
PAP’s Committee on Trade, Customs, and Immigration has already conducted a fact-finding mission to Tanzania, reviewing AfCFTA’s local implementation and pressing for the Protocol’s ratification.
Watch the Committee meeting
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