The United Nations has welcomed the signing of the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), congratulating the leaders
upon creating one of the world’s largest trading blocs with over 50
countries.
In a statement issued by the global body’s secretary
general, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations said the move is important
towards achieving the sustainable development goals and delivering the
African agenda on peace and prosperity.
‘‘With the joint African Union – United Nations Agreement
for the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for
sustainable development, as our common framework, the entire United
Nations family stands ready to support the continent as it forges
forward the entry into force of the Continental Free Trade Area in the
coming months,’‘ read part of the statement
African leaders on Wednesday signed three major economic
agreements during the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of Heads
of State and Government in Kigali, Rwanda.
44 countries signed the agreement establishing the African
Continental Free Trade Area, while 43 heads of state signed the Kigali
declaration for the launch of AfCFTA and 27 signed protocols relating to
Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of
Establishment.
Reluctance over ‘Free Movement of Persons’?
The AU Protocol on the Free Movement of Person paved the
way for citizens of different member states to be issued with African
passports in future and establish businesses anywhere in Africa.
The AU has set a 2018 deadline for the removal of visa requirements for all African citizens in all African countries.
Rwanda eased its travel restrictions starting January this
year by allowing travellers from across the world to get a
visa-on-arrival, a move adopted in Kenya for Africans.
Governments now have the next six months, by September this
year, to ratify the protocol. Those that did not sign can also do so
during the window.
Under the protocol, member states are required to remove
visa requirements for Africans, allow 90-day stay, and right of
residence for any African in a territory other than his or her country
of origin.
The protocol also calls for issuance of African passport in corroboration with the AU
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