Gideon Adeyeni, a Pan-Africanist, an activist and a former Coordinating Collective member of Africans Rising movement rode a bicycle from Lagos, Nigeria through Benin Republic and Togo to Acrra, Ghana...
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Borderless Africa
Borderless Africa Convening
Lusaka, Zambia 23 – 25 May, 2024
The Borderless Africa – Free Movement Campaign is a product of the All-African Movements Assembly (AAMA) held from 29-31 August 2022 in Arusha Tanzania, bringing together over 600 members of Africans Rising – Pan-African social movements, activists, human rights defenders, advocates, and key stakeholders from 55 countries across the continent and the diaspora.
The goal of the campaign is to achieve an Africa where Africans can move around their own continent without the current restrictions in place. For better trade, integration and development.
Campaign Objectives
- Abolish visa requirements for intra African travel
- Ratify and implement the AU protocol on free movement
- Mass roll out of the common African passport
- Give visibility to the linkage between Africans on the continent and global Africa
- Promote trade among Africans
Key campaign activities
People’s petition for free movement
On 20th February, 2023 in a virtual ceremony, the people’s petition for free movement was officially launched by great champions of free movement including Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Kwame Nkrumah and President of the Kwame Nkrumah Pan-African Centre, Ambassador Salah Siddig Hammad, Head of the African Governance Architecture at the African Union Commission.
The petition is both online and offline. Over 20,000 signatures have already been collected with the help of #BorderlessAfrica foot soldiers across 30 countries.
Continuous grassroot movement building and support
We are also building new movements including in border communities and Universities across the continent. Local ownership is crucial for a truly #BorderlessAfrica for Africans.
Collaborations and partnerships
The people are at the core of the campaign because a #BorderlessAfrica will benefit the masses. We actively build partnerships and collaborations with organisations, media, social media influencers, think tanks and other civil society actors to push the agenda from all angles.
Mass mobilization using African Liberation Week
African Liberation Week (Week of 25th May) is Africans Rising’s biggest annual mobilisation of members across the continent and the diaspora. We aim to use this large mobilisation platform to organise marches/demonstrations in African countries and diaspora to push for free movement.
Youth Caravan to AU headquarters
A youth caravan to physically present the People’s Petition for Free Movement to heads of states and governments at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
Advocacy
A high level panel of influential people and others to champion the advocacy for the ratification of the AU protocol on free movement.
What’s happening on #BorderlessAfrica?
Ghana and South Africa sign visa waiver agreement
The Governments of Ghana and South Africa have signed a visa waiver agreement, which will allow citizens of both countries to travel freely for business and tourism, without any visa restrictions. The agreement took effect on November 1, 2023. The visa waiver will apply to holders of ordinary passports, who will be allowed to stay in the other country for up to 90 days within a calendar year.
Pan-African movement advocates Visa-free movement to foster regional integration, development
The Africans Rising Movement, a Pan-African movement, has called on African Governments to work towards ensuring a Visa-Free Movement, one currency and one passport to facilitate regional integration, growth and development. Ms Ann Lorna, the Communications and Media Lead, Africans Rising, made the call in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Petition calls for Kenya to Support Borderless Africa and address new travel requirements
In Nairobi, Kenya, members of Africans Rising and Kongamano La Mapinduzi submitted a petition to the Kenyan government, calling for the ratification of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community. The treaty aims to ensure free movement of persons, right of residence, and right of establishment across Africa. The petition comes as Kenya begins implementing the first phase of the treaty, which includes abolishing visa requirements for African travelers. The introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, that mandates travelers to apply 72 hours before visiting and demands a processing fee, contradicts the spirit of the treaty by imposing additional barriers.
Borderless Africa March, Lusaka Zambia, May 25
Powerful march for Borderless Africa held in Lusaka on May 25th by Africans Rising. This video captures the passionate voices and diverse crowd that came together to advocate for a united and barrier-free Africa. Watch as participants share their visions for a future without borders, highlighting the significance of unity and collective action across the continent.
Joshua Maponga’s Inspiring Speech at Borderless Africa March, Lusaka
Join us in this powerful moment captured right after the Borderless Africa March in Lusaka, Zambia, where renowned speaker Joshua Maponga delivers an inspiring speech. Maponga discusses the significance of unity and cooperation across African nations, sharing his vision for a borderless continent. His profound insights and passionate delivery are sure to ignite discussion and hope for the future.
Hardi Yakubu Speech at Borderless Africa March, Lusaka, Zambia May 25
Listen to the powerful speech by Hardi Yakubu, the Coordinator of the Africans Rising Movement at Borderless Africa March in Lusaka Zambia.