
Why don't all Africans have free movement within Africa? – DW – 07/17/2025
The African Union's Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, adopted in 2018, aims to give Africans the right to live and work anywhere within the bloc. It was meant to complement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launched in 2019 and operationalized in 2021.
But only four countries — Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Principe — have ratified the free movement protocol. Thirty-two other nations have signed the protocol, but it needs at least 15 ratifications to come into force.
African Union (AU) officials are concerned about the slow pace towards ratifications and the implications for trade on the continent.
"We know that without free movement of persons of goods and services, the ideals of AfCFTA would not be achieved," said Amma Adomaa Twum-Amoah, the AU's Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development.
"If they aren't able to move freely, then trading will become an issue," she told DW.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Security concerns top the list of reasons why African nations have been reluctant to ratify the protocol.
"One of the things that they [African countries] usually mention is about security. If you open the borders won't people come in and terrorize and things like that?" Hardi Yakubu, movement coordinator of Africans Rising, an NGO that advocates for Pan-Africanism, told DW.
Twum-Amoah echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that "for most member states, it is security."
Margaret Kamar, a Kenyan senator and member of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislature of the African Union, added that the lack of harmonized border systems is another hurdle.
"Everybody has small fears about security systems," she said.
"At the border points, we realized that we have not harmonized the systems. When you open borders, you want to be sure that these rights to entry for any member of the partner states can be accounted for because you must account for the people."
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
There's also the issue of revenue. Many African governments rely on the income generated by visa application fees. A visa-free regime, they fear, could mean financial losses.
But Twum-Amoah disagrees. "The idea of losing money, I really don't subscribe to it."
Rwanda is being held up as a success story following its ratification of the protocol. The East African nation has also integrated its border systems to track entries efficiently — whether by land or air.
"Rwanda has integrated their systems completely. Whether you enter Rwanda through a bus or through the airport, they can track you. So, we found that this is something that other countries can learn from," Kamar said.
In terms of losing revenue from a visa-free policy, Kamar Rwanda cautioned against such fears.
"Rwanda is a very good example where they increased the number of tourists and earned more from their expenditure inside the country than the $200 [$173], they would have been chasing, looking for a visa," she added.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
To address the slow pace of ratification, the AU has launched a peer-to-peer learning initiative to foster dialogue between nations to share best practices and address mutual concerns related to free movement.
The first session was held in Accra, Ghana, earlier this month and more are planned.
Twum-Amoah noted that "we need to also undertake a bit of education to let them [countries] know that" there are solutions.
"We came up with some conclusions and one is to ensure that member states are all on the same page, exchange ideas so that we can move this protocol forward," she added.
Twum-Amoah said solutions can be found for the challenges member countries have identified. "There are ways and means that we can do it, if we all work together."
Kamar remains hopeful. "We realized that most of the challenges are actually the same between most of the partner countries," she said, adding that there would be the need to sell the idea to all African countries stressing the importance of ratifying the protocol.
"You cannot have an African Continental Free Trade Area without a free movement of people because people must move with their goods," she concluded.
"So, we cannot say we are going to trade freely if you are not moving. The movement of people must accompany them."
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


DW
2 hours ago
- DW
Germany updates: Huge turnout for Berlin Pride march – DW – 07/26/2025
Police mounted a major operation to protect the hundreds of thousands of revelers attending the Berlin Pride parade. Also, Merz and Merkel watched the opening performance of the Bayreuth Festival. DW has the latest. Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Germany's capital for the Berlin Pride parade, known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), making it one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in Europe. Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his fellow party member and predecessor, Angela Merkel, attended the opening performance of the Bayreuth Festival. Germany's ports require an additional €15 billion ($18 billion) for refurbishment and expansion over the next decade, the head of the ZDS seaport association has warned. ZDS chief Angela Titzrath told the newspaper that the country's ports suffer from "decaying quays" and a lack of "surfaces that can handle heavy loads." Titzrath said the additional funds would make up just 3% of the government's new budget for upgrading the country's infrastructure. "With that [amount], we could fully and sustainably implement all urgent modernization within 12 years," she told the newspaper. In March, the German parliament approved a historic €500 billion infrastructure fund, with €100 billion earmarked for clean energy and climate mitigation projects. Out of the latter budget, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government approved an additional €400 million over four years to help modernize shipping and ports in a way that protects the planet. But Titzrath called on Berlin to play a bigger role in port investments by raising the current subsidies from €38 million to €500 million "so that the shortcomings of the past are not repeated." Southern Germany could see up to 150 liters of rainfall per square meter in the next few days, forecasters have warned. The German Weather Service (DWD) said heavy rain and severe thunderstorms were forecast for the weekend and early next week. DWD said the area from the upper Danube River to Augsburg would be hit hardest on Saturday, before spreading to a wider area including Lake Constance and the mountainous Allgäu region, as well as the southern Black Forest. The agency warned of possible flooding in some places. DWD said the 150 liters of rainfall only occur every decade or so. Southern parts of Germany were hit by severe flooding last May and June, while eastern Germany was struck in September. The country is still reeling from devastating floods that hit western states in July 2021, particularly the Ahr Valley, as well as neighboring countries. At least 189 people died in Germany, while another 700 were injured. Those floods caused €33 billion ($40 billion) in economic losses. An injured seal, weighing over 100 kilograms, has been rescued from the banks of the Elbe River in Germany's northern city of Hamburg. The marine mammal was discovered late Friday evening by witnesses who alerted authorities. According to a fire brigade spokesman, the seal had a minor injury to its fin. Rescuers initially planned to transfer the seal to an animal shelter, but it was already full. The animal was then taken to a local wildlife caretaker. Seals are typically found in coastal areas like the North Sea or Wadden Sea, which are over 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Hamburg. The Elbe River is a freshwater environment far inland, not their natural habitat. Navigating the river to Hamburg, seals must travel through strong currents, locks, and human-made obstacles. Germany's renowned Bayreuth Festival of operas by Richard Wagner kicked off on Friday with a new production of "The Master-Singers of Nuremberg." Chancellor Friedrich Merz and former Chancellor Angela Merkel graced the red carpet for opening night, with both political figures reported to be great admirers of Wagner's music. Accompanied by his wife Charlotte, Merz described the evening as a "great production" featuring fantastic stage design and wonderful performers. The chancellor also used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to the arts in Germany, emphasizing that this includes not only theatre, music and opera but also architecture and modern art. "We will defend this against all those who want it to be different," Merz said. Hundreds of thousands are expected in Germany's capital on Saturday to celebrate Berlin Pride or Christopher Street Day (CSD). A huge parade featuring 80 trucks is expected to pass through the city, starting at Leipziger Platz, then heading to Potsdamer Platz and Schöneberg, before ending at the Brandenburg Gate. The German Police Union (GdP) said Berlin authorities would mount a huge operation to protect the parade in the wake of several car ramming and terrorist attacks and due to the LGBTQ+ community being targeted by far-right extremists. Around 1,300 Berlin police officers will be deployed, supported by hundreds more from other German states. Two counterdemonstrations with an expected 400 participants have also been registered with the Berlin authorities. The Pride celebrations began on Friday with the unfurling of a massive rainbow flag outside the Reichstag building — the home of Germany's parliament. CSD organizers decided to display their own flag after the government rejected a request to hoist an official rainbow flag. Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the decision, saying, "The Bundestag is not a circus tent," referring to Germany's lower house of parliament. Christopher Street Day is a reference to the location of the Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood, where a protest against police discrimination in 1969 kick-started the gay liberation movement. Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Germany on Saturday, July 26. Here you'll find breaking news, business, culture and sports as well as commentary from DW's team of correspondents. Berlin hosts one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ Pride events, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to turn out for a glitzy parade through the streets of the German capital. The Bayreuth Festival, an annual summer music festival dedicated primarily to the operas of Richard Wagner, got underway on Friday night.


DW
6 hours ago
- DW
Leading Pakistan rights group decries government crackdown – DW – 07/26/2025
One of Pakistan's most prominent civil rights organizations has said it faces intimidation and harassment from authorities, warning of a widespread threat to rights advocacy in the country. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), an independent civil rights group, has warned that its operations are being affected due to pressure from Pakistani authorities. "In the past few months, HRCP has faced a series of arbitrary, illegal and unjustified actions that have impeded the organization's ability to carry out its mandate," the commission said in a statement released earlier in July. Harris Khalique, HRCP's secretary-general, told DW that the group has been facing "unprecedented pressure." "Authorities prevent us from organizing events and create disruptions. They have sealed the HRCP's Lahore office, frozen our bank accounts, claiming it is involved in commercial activities, and have blocked our electricity meters while issuing inflated bills," he said. Events organized in various cities were obstructed, and staff received threatening phone calls warning them against discussing topics considered sensitive. "We are against both violence and militancy. Individuals claiming to represent security agencies, along with those identifying as officials from the Interior Ministry, are threatening our female staff," said Khalique. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The HRCP was co-founded in 1987 by late lawyer and activist Asma Jahangir, former Supreme Court Justice Dorab Patel and former Air Force Chief of Staff Zafar Chaudhry. It has since grown into Pakistan's leading human rights organization. The HRCP has consistently acted as an independent and credible advocate for civil liberties, both within Pakistan and on the global stage. Amid pressure from authorities, the HRCP has voiced significant concern regarding the increasingly shrinking space for human rights advocacy in Pakistan. The security situation in Pakistan has deteriorated in recent years, with militant attacks occurring regularly. In the southwest, security forces are engaged in a long-standing conflict with Baloch separatist militants. Pakistan's foremost opposition party, Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was not allowed to contest the 2024 election as a party, resulting in violent protests and a crackdown on its members and supporters. Khan remains imprisoned on various charges, which his party has said are politically motivated. The government has denied pressuring the HRCP, and says it is taking measures to ensure security. "The standard operating procedures are in place for events due to security concerns and there are ongoing protests in the country. We have put no restrictions on freedom of expression, " Talal Chaudhry, state minister of interior, told DW. Chaudhry added that "online events are also being conducted without any limitations, and the state is not restricting them." But Hina Jilani, a human rights advocate and member of the HRCP's council, disputes this claim. "The government is employing tactics to silence the group activities. Our events are being obstructed and there are efforts to introduce laws that could impact our finances, hindering our ability to carry out the work," she told DW. Jilani cited two examples of the government placing bureaucratic hurdles that prevented an HRCP community outreach event from taking place in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, and a roundtable discussion in Islamabad focused on the human rights situation in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan province. Jilani said the government crackdown threatens the "HRCP's autonomy and poses a significant risk to the human rights of the people of Pakistan." The human rights situation in Pakistan remains marked by inadequate judicial protection and rising authoritarianism. According to Amnesty International's 2024 report on Pakistan, authorities "weaponized laws" on defamation and hate speech as the security situation deteriorated amid militant attacks. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Amnesty cited dozens of examples of legal measures to suppress opposition parties, particularly targeting Imran Khan's PTI following protests in May 2023. More than 80 people were imprisoned in connection with the protests after "secret trials." Freedom of the press and freedom of assembly have also been severely curtailed. "Enforced disappearances continued unabated, targeting journalists, activists, students, comedians, political opponents and families of political opponents," the Amnesty report said. In 2024, Pakistan's democracy ranking fell six places, placing it among the "top 10 worst performers" in the Democracy Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Independent media outlets are facing increasing pressure, censorship and economic hardship. Social media platforms are often restricted during protests or political events. "Pakistan has become a completely authoritarian regime, there are no courts, there is no media, they have broken the civil society," Imaan Mazari, a rights activist and lawyer, told DW. "The human rights situation in Pakistan is deplorable and effectively we are living in a martial law," she added. However, HRCP leader Khalique remains optimistic and said the commission will continue its work and "persist in efforts to advocate for the rights of the people of Pakistan." On pressure from the government, Khalique said he hopes for more cooperation in the future. "We are critical friends, not adversaries, and we aspire for a healthy society and a strong country," he said. "We are an independent organization that strives to remain neutral and evidence based. We cannot compromise our integrity." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video


DW
7 hours ago
- DW
Germany updates: Berlin expects huge turnout for Pride march – DW – 07/26/2025
Police are mounting a major operation to protect the Berlin Pride parade, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend. Merz and Merkel watch the opening performance of the Bayreuth Festival. DW has the latest. Berlin's Pride parade, known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees, making it one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in Europe. Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his fellow party member and predecessor, Angela Merkel, are attending the opening performance of the Bayreuth Festival. Germany's renowned Bayreuth Festival of operas by Richard Wagner kicked off on Friday with a new production of "The Master-Singers of Nuremberg." Chancellor Friedrich Merz and former Chancellor Angela Merkel graced the red carpet for opening night, with both political figures reported to be great admirers of Wagner's music. Accompanied by his wife Charlotte, Merz described the evening as a "great production" featuring fantastic stage design and wonderful performers. The chancellor also used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to the arts in Germany, emphasizing that this includes not only theatre, music and opera but also architecture and modern art. "We will defend this against all those who want it to be different," Merz said. Hundreds of thousands are expected in Germany's capital on Saturday to celebrate Berlin Pride or Christopher Street Day (CSD). A huge parade featuring 80 trucks is expected to pass through the city, starting at Leipziger Platz, then heading to Potsdamer Platz and Schöneberg, before ending at the Brandenburg Gate. The German Police Union (GdP) said Berlin authorities would mount a huge operation to protect the parade in the wake of several car ramming and terrorist attacks and due to the LGBTQ+ community being targeted by far-right extremists. Around 1,300 Berlin police officers will be deployed, supported by hundreds more from other German states. Two counterdemonstrations with an expected 400 participants have also been registered with the Berlin authorities. The Pride celebrations began on Friday with the unfurling of a massive rainbow flag outside the Reichstag building — the home of Germany's parliament. CSD organizers decided to display their own flag after the government rejected a request to hoist an official rainbow flag. Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the decision, saying, "The Bundestag is not a circus tent," referring to Germany's lower house of parliament. Christopher Street Day is a reference to the location of the Stonewall Inn in New York City's Greenwich Village neighborhood, where a protest against police discrimination in 1969 kick-started the gay liberation movement. Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Germany on Saturday, July 26. Here you'll find breaking news, business, culture and sports as well as commentary from DW's team of correspondents. Berlin hosts one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ Pride events, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to turn out for a glitzy parade through the streets of the German capital. The Bayreuth Festival, an annual summer music festival dedicated primarily to the operas of Richard Wagner, got underway on Friday night.