travel to 55 per cent of other African countries. They can get visas on arrival in only 25 per cent of other countries. One of the seven overarching aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063 is integrated “an continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance”. The clauses that unpack this aspiration (22 and 23) mention free movement twice, locating it at the heart of political and economic regional integration. On clause 67(K) the AU Agenda 2063 goes on to call for action to introduce an African passport, issued by member states, capitalising on the global migration towards e-passports, and with the abolishment of visa requirements for all African citizens in all African countries by 2018. SOUTH AFRICAN POSITION ON THE AU AGENDA 2063 South Africa supports the development objectives and aims of Agenda 2063 in the context of strengthening the African cooperation, integration and for promoting inclusive development, peace and security. The support for the Agenda 2063 is informed by the understanding that South Africa’s destiny is intricately linked to that of the continent. Regional and continental integration are the foundation for Africa’s socio-economic development and political unity, and essential for South Africa’s prosperity and security. South Africa fully supports the principle of free movement on the Continent, including the need for the AU to conclude a protocol to facilitate such free movement. This is also in line with the National Development Plan which states that South Africa needs to adopt a much more progressive migration policy. The country recently adopted a new White Paper on International Migration which advocates for an Afrocentric migration approach. AU PROTOCOL RELATING TO FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS Background The AU Draft Protocol is a Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of
travel to 55 per cent of other African countries. They can get visas on arrival in only 25 per cent of other countries. One of the seven overarching aspirations outlined in Agenda 2063 is “an integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance”. The clauses that unpack this aspiration (22 and 23) mention free movement twice, locating it at the heart of political and economic regional integration. On clause 67(K) the AU Agenda 2063 goes on to call for action to introduce an African passport, issued by member states, capitalising on the global migration towards e-passports, and with the abolishment of visa requirements for all African citizens in all African countries by 2018. SOUTH AFRICAN POSITION ON THE AU AGENDA 2063 South Africa supports the development objectives and aims of Agenda 2063 in the context of strengthening the African cooperation, integration and for promoting inclusive development, peace and security. The support for the Agenda 2063 is informed by the understanding that South Africa’s destiny is intricately linked to that of the continent. Regional and continental integration are the foundation for Africa’s socio-economic development and political unity, and essential for South Africa’s prosperity and security. South Africa fully supports the principle of free movement on the Continent, including the need for the AU to conclude a protocol to facilitate such free movement. This is also in line with the National Development Plan which states that South Africa needs to adopt a much more progressive migration policy. The country recently adopted a new White Paper on International Migration which advocates for an Afrocentric migration approach. AU PROTOCOL RELATING TO FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS Background The AU Draft Protocol is a Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of
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