SADC-NGO to launch Free Movement of Persons campaign

Speaking to Mmegi, Research, Advocacy and Policy Manager of SADC-NGO, Bob Muchabaiwa said the objective of the launch would be to facilitate the implementation of the protocol of movement of persons that was drafted and produced in 1995. He said the draft was resisted by some member states partly because it called for a radical approach to the issue, by setting a time frame of 10 years for SADC to achieve free movement and by making bold proposals including confirming the right of SADC citizens to free movement.

Muchabaiwa stated that the draft protocol therefore went through several revisions with its title changed from "free" to protocol on the facilitation of movement of persons in 1997. He explained that it was only in 2005 that SADC member states adopted the significantly revised protocol on the facilitation of movement of persons.