The African People’s Petition for a Borderless Africa has crossed a significant milestone, garnering over 10,000 signatures in support of free movement, integration, and unity across the continent.
The announcement was made in a press statement issued on Monday, January 12, by Africans Rising, the Pan-African social movement championing the initiative.
According to the statement, the petition’s momentum signals a growing demand among Africans for the ratification and implementation of the African Union (AU) Free Movement Protocol, adopted in 2018 but yet to take full effect across the continent.
Africans Rising described the development as “a clear signal to African governments, African Union, and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) that Africans are indeed ready for a borderless Africa; therefore, the ratifications of the Free Movement Protocol should not wait anymore.”
While the concept of free movement is not new to AU policy frameworks, progress has stalled. Africans Rising highlighted the gap between policy commitments and citizens’ lived realities, noting that only four AU member states have ratified the Free Movement Protocol to date.
Nearly half of Africans still require visas to travel within the continent, a situation the movement argues limits jobs, innovation, trust, and economic opportunity.
“This gap between political commitments and lived realities is costing Africa jobs, innovation, trust, and opportunity. Free movement is not a threat to Africa’s security or sovereignty; it is a foundation for integration, shared prosperity, peace, and dignity.”
Africans Rising further stressed that the 10,000 signatories represent a diverse coalition of youth, traders, creatives, women, diaspora communities, and grassroots organisers.
The movement said their unified message frames free movement not only as an economic necessity but also as “a necessary first step to reparations” and a pathway to dignity for Africans across the continent.
Click here to read the full statement.
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
