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Richard Muponde Zimpapers Politics Hub
SADC is reaffirming its commitment to the facilitation of movement of persons within the region, a crucial step towards enhancing regional integration, economic growth and social development.
The SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons established in 2005, serves as a foundational framework for this initiative, aiming to streamline travel and promote cooperation among member states.
It was signed at the just ended 44th Heads of State and Government SADC Summit hosted by Zimbabwe from August 17 to 18.
President Mnangagwa has since assumed the chairmanship of the 16-member regional bloc.
The significant aspect of this commitment is the push for visa-free travel and visa facilitation across the region.
Currently, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Zimbabwe stand out as SADC member states that do not require visas for citizens of all SADC countries, showcasing a model of openness and accessibility.
While several member states still have visa requirements, there has been notable progress in easing these restrictions.
For instance, many countries have exempted diplomatic and official passports from visa requirements, facilitating smoother travel for government officials and diplomats.
In addition, the introduction of the SADC Business Visa aims to bolster economic activities by allowing business travellers to move freely across borders for trade and investment purposes.
This initiative is particularly vital for fostering a conducive environment for business operations and enhancing economic ties among member states.
In a SADC document produced at the end of the 44th Heads of State and Government SADC Summit in Zimbabwe, the regional bloc said it remains committed to the implementation of the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons (2005); visa-free travel and visa facilitation; the SADC Business Visa; and development and protection of cross-border infrastructure and transport.
“This is important to enhance facilitation of movement of persons within the region to promote regional integration, economic growth, and social development,” the Bloc said.
“Botswana and Namibia have set an example of cooperation and integration by recently launching the use of national identity cards by their citizens wishing to travel to the other country.
“Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe are three SADC Member States that do not require visas for all SADC Member States. While visas are still required in several SADC Member States, there has been steady progress in ensuring movement of people across the region.”
SADC said in most member states, all diplomatic and official passports in the region are officially exempted.
“In some Member States bilateral visa exemptions have been agreed, while in others negotiations are ongoing to facilitate movement of SADC citizens,” a statement in SADC document said.
While progress has been made, the journey towards full facilitation of movement is ongoing. Some member states have entered into bilateral visa exemption agreements while negotiations continue in others to ease travel restrictions for SADC citizens.
These efforts are crucial for building a more interconnected region where citizens can move freely, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity among the diverse populations of SADC.
Zimbabwe and Botswana are forging ahead with eliminating passport requirements for citizens travelling between the two countries with the Government already working on fine-tuning the modalities and operational framework to allow people to use identity documents to cross the border.
The agreement between President Mnangagwa and President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, which is in line with regional and continental aspirations of facilitating the free movement of people across borders, is already being implemented in other regional blocs in Africa and Europe.
In a media briefing after the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission Summit in Botswana early this year, Presidents Mnangagwa and Masisi reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating seamless movement of people and goods across shared borders to boost economic activity and strengthen regional integration.
The two sister countries aim to see travellers using their respective national identity documents to travel between the two countries.
This move is in tandem with the regional and continental efforts to promote the free movement of people on the continent.
President Mnangagwa recently said the history of both countries showed that there was no need for the use of passports to move from one country to another.
He said passport requirements were vestiges of a fraught colonial past that was no longer fit for purpose in a fast-integrating region.
President Masisi said the scrapping of passport requirements between the countries will forge great partnerships between the two nations, while also attracting investment opportunities.
In a video shared on various social media platforms, the Botswana leader told Parliamentarians in that country that people from both countries, especially those living on the peripheries of the borders have relatives on opposite sides of the border and needed to attend family gatherings without having to undergo the tedious exercise of going through the border.
“So, when such relatives want to visit their kin, given the expensive fee of the passport, let alone the prices of food, why deny them entry using an ID?
“Because they have to attend family events like weddings, parties, and funerals, why do you say they should be denied entry at the border posts using their IDs?” he asked.
President Masisi said he will be implementing the AU and SADC instruments, which he is a signatory to, in respect to easier migration.
“I don’t condone your segregation attitude. When we did that with Namibia you didn’t object, but now because it is Zimbabwe you are looking down upon them, segregating them, adopting xenophobic tendencies,” he said.
“You hate people, but I want to assure you, dare you even, if we were to check your phone contacts many of you have illegal Zimbabweans’ phone numbers because you are using them for all kinds of duties. I want to make sure there is legitimate entry.”
President Masisi added: “We will make sure to collect their full data at the border posts to create databases. We are trying to make them law-abiding. It’s good neighbourliness.”
Botswana and Namibia removed passport requirements for their citizens early last year, making the two the first countries in Southern Africa to implement such a system.
Zimbabwe and Botswana have enjoyed cordial bilateral ties since pre-independence times, which have been amplified under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.
However, not to be forgotten is the development and protection of cross-border infrastructure and transport which are also critical components of SADC’s strategy.
Improved infrastructure not only facilitates the movement of people but also enhances trade and economic interactions.
Investments in transport networks, such as roads and railways, are essential for connecting member states and ensuring that goods and services can flow freely across borders.
The SADC’s commitment to facilitating the movement of persons is not just about easing travel; it is about promoting regional integration, economic growth, and social development and continuing to implement the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons and enhancing cooperation among member states, SADC is paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous Southern Africa.
The example set by Botswana and Namibia, along with ongoing efforts by SADC members states to streamline visa processes, highlight the potential for collaboration and the benefits of a more interconnected region.
Online Reporter