Addis Ababa - The Institute of Security Studies in Africa (ISS), in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), on 19 November 2020 hosted a webinar to discuss how viewing  migration from a security lens is impacting the free movement of people in Africa, and is likely to curtail implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  

This discussion on securitization of migration is the first in a series of sessions that will popularize the Africa Migration Report (AMR) released in October. The meeting brought together a diverse audience that included government officials, representatives of multilateral organisations such as the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), IOM, diplomats, CSO members, and researchers from across Africa and the world.

The inaugural AMR was published by the African Union Commission (AUC) and IOM and challenges the often-distorted narratives about Africa and migration. It covers a range of migration issues such as migration data, trade, health, displacement, climate change and security.

The idea of free movement of persons is a major component of Africa’s integration plan, as promoting free movement of Africans within the continent is the fourth flagship project of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. This long-term development blueprint aspires to build an, ‘integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.’

Free movement of persons is also a pillar of the Organization of African Unity’s Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community, also known as the Abuja Treaty. The African Union (AU) adopted the Protocol Relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment (AU Free Movement Protocol) in 2018 as envisaged by the Abuja Treaty. It enshrines the right of African nationals to move freely, reside, work, study or do business in any of the 55 Member States of the AU.

However, the AU Free Movement Protocol has so far attracted only four ratifications by Member States. This is in stark contrast to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a trade liberalization deal that will create a free trade area for goods and services on the continent, which now enjoys 30 ratifications and 54 signatures – only one country is yet to sign the agreement.

The webinar, therefore, focused on the 12th chapter of the AMR which contends that the benefits of free movement of persons outweigh security concerns. Co-author of the chapter, Ms. Tsion Tadesse Abebe, Senior Researcher at ISS, observed that some countries continue to frame migration as an existential threat, leading them to enforce restrictive policies and practices that gravely limit legal movement.

She, however, said findings show there was no correlation between policies encouraging more movement across borders and increased criminality, as seen in countries such as Rwanda, which successfully opened borders with neighboring countries with no negative implications observed.

Mr. E.K. Bensah Jr, Executive Director of the AfCFTA Policy Network said, “Any regional economic integration cannot happen if there is no free movement of people. It is quite perplexing that many countries in Africa want to trade but do not want people to move freely. We hope to see the same momentum on ratification of the FMP as we saw with the AfCFTA.”

He added that some regions on the continent appreciated the inherent capacity of people to move and to use their skills elsewhere, giving the example of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which came up with a free movement agreement back in 1979, and that predates Europe’s Schengen Agreement of 1985. He, however, argued that strong integration at the regional level was not enough and had to be extended to the rest of the continent.

Ms. Maureen Achieng, IOM Chief of Mission to Ethiopia and Representative to the AUC and the ECA on her part stressed that the signing of the Free Movement Protocol by all AU Member States is a big leap ahead and demonstrated political will by AU member countries. She agreed that Africa does not have to choose between migration and free trade, adding, “Migration and free trade must go hand in glove if Africa’s ambitious integration and development agenda is to be realized”.

Mr. Francis Rwego, Special Interpol Representative to the African Union, highlighted fear mongering against open borders and the inherent limitations of law enforcement at the national level, and suggested that strengthening communication and collaboration among security apparatuses at the regional level would lead to more cohesive responses to policing and border controls.

Most speakers agreed it is important to sensitizing stakeholders on the benefits of free movement, as citizens would easily welcome the idea of mobility across borders once their understanding was enhanced.

The ISS is an African non-profit organisation with offices in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and Senegal which partners to build knowledge and skills that secure Africa’s future. Its work covers transnational crimes, migration, maritime security and development, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, crime prevention and criminal justice, and the analysis of conflict and governance.

For more information, contact Eric Mazango at IOM Ethiopia, Email: emazango@iom.int