CSOs Discuss Free Movement Protocol for Africa

By PAC Correspondent

 

 

In March 2023, civil society groups from Southern Africa converged on Lusaka, Zambia for debate on possibility of a free movement protocol for people in Africa.

The Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) has been on sensitizing decision-makers and civil society organizations (CSOs) on the role they can play in advocating for the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Union FMP across Africa in an an effort to increase dialogue around the protocol widely referred to as the AU FMP.

So this year, ECOSOCC in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, will be holding a “National Dialogue Series,” which are multi-stakeholder round-table discussions on the AU FMP with key policymakers.

The stakeholders cut across government ministries, agencies, CSOs, representatives of the AU Commission, ECOSOCC General Assembly Members concerned Member States and Members of the Pan-African Parliament, among others.

In his key note statement, Mr. Robert Phiri, Deputy Presiding Officer (South), ECOSOCC stressed on the need for CSOs to work towards realization of defined road maps on the free movement of  persons.

“Democracy provides space for contention of ideas and opinions. As  such migration governance and free movement  of persons  must find  their  own space in the democratic consolidation as  we roll out  these events…

“Democracy  is a  journey  and  within this  journey different  demands  by societies  are being  advanced. Societies   are changing, slowly people  are gaining understanding of  their basic rights,” Said Phiri who is also Executive Director of Public Affairs Committee (PAC) in Malawi.

The conference observed that popularization, ratification of the protocol  and its domestication will require structured advocacy and lobbying hence the need for CSOs to work  together and build a strong ECOSOCC for the realization of free movement of persons in Africa.

Delegates acknowledged that the journey for the advocacy  on free movement of persons requires concerted stakeholder efforts.

“…the journey we have taken will face some hurdles as we inch towards the final goals. Indeed, it will not be an  easy path for different member states will move  at  their own pace  because of  their different priorities at domestic level.

“(But) the eco-system of democracy is changing every day. It is no secret therefore that the system of democracy will be fraught with challenges. But there will always be  opportunities to develop a common understanding as well,” said Phiri.

The national dialogue series are part of the opportunities that must be utilized to achieve articulated goals and practical aspects of free movement of persons across boarders as was experienced when cyclones hit Malawi and Mozambique.

During disasters, no formalities  for crossing  boarders were followed somewhat teaching mankind that “free movement of persons is a reality and not just a  concept”.

ECOSOCC has  a structure  that funnels down from continental, regional  to  national level beyond which ECOSCC has created windows for civil society participation even if organizations are not accredited to it.

Enquire now

Give us a call or fill in the form below and we will contact you. We endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.