By: Hannah Dadzie
Security concerns and the lack of harmonized border systems have been identified as major obstacles delaying the ratification of the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons Protocol. At the closing of a four-day Peer-to-Peer Experience Sharing and Coordination Meeting in Accra, organized by the AU Commission, stakeholders stressed the urgent need for political will and joint action to realize the Protocol’s full potential.
They also highlighted persistent fears among Member States regarding border security and the ability to track individuals crossing national borders. They are therefore calling for concrete commitments from Member States to ratify the Protocol by the end of the year.
The African Union Free Movement Protocol which was adopted in 2018, is a key component of the continent’s integration agenda, designed to facilitate mobility, economic growth, and regional cooperation. However, despite its transformative potential, the Protocol has seen slow progress as only four of the fifteen required Member States have ratified it so far.
The meeting which was aimed at fast-tracking the ratification and implementation of the Protocol, examined best practices, exchanged experiences, and explored practical solutions to fast-track implementation.
Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the AU Commission, Ambassador Amma Twum-Amoah, highlighted the importance of shared learning among Member States.
Most of the concerns raised by Member States relate to security.
Countries want to know what’s working elsewhere so they can apply similar solutions. One major outcome of our discussions is the recommendation to form a continental platform for all heads of immigration services, so they can meet regularly, share best practices, and harmonize systems. It’s important that we all ratify the Protocol because it will ease the movement of goods and people across borders. But to make that happen, we also need to improve infrastructure. This is just the beginning” Ambassador Twum-Amoah stated.
A member of the Pan-African Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration, Professor Margaret Kamar said the Parliament continues to prioritize the Protocol due to its importance to regional integration.
“Free movement of goods and persons is very important to us in the Pan-African Parliament, since the protocol was endorsed in 2018, countries have struggled to ratify it due to common concerns, particularly the lack of integrated security systems across borders. We must ensure that anyone crossing into another country can be identified and tracked, especially in cases of criminal activity” she said.
Professor Kamar praised Ghana’s immigration system, noting that it has been effective in detecting and managing border risks.
“We need to reach a point where all partner states can securely account for who enters and exits. Ghana, for example, has demonstrated commendable capacity in tracking and detecting border activities” she added.
Assistant Commissioner of Immigration, Samuel Bilson, acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism about the momentum generated during the meeting, describing it as productive and forward-looking.
“We have learned and contributed a lot during these four days. The key now is to compile our findings and submit our report to higher authorities so that the AU’s Agenda 2063 goals can be achieved. At the moment, only Rwanda has ratified the Protocol, which is a big concern. But the countries present here have pledged to work hard toward reaching the required number of ratifications, and we’re committed to making that happen.” he said.
The meeting was organised by the AU’s Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development with technical support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).
Attendees included representatives from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Benin, and Ethiopia, alongside RECs like ECOWAS, EAC, ECCAS, and IGAD.
Institutions such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Pan-African Parliament, and the World Bank were also present.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to shape future national strategies, encourage regional cooperation, and serve as a roadmap for achieving the long-delayed goal of free movement across Africa.
One Response
The slow ratification of the African Union Free Movement Protocol reflects ongoing concerns among Member States about border security and the monitoring of cross-border movements.