4
AWARE
of the
challenges
of implementing
the
free
fegional economic communities which are at different
frameworks providing for free movement of persons;
movement
levels
of persons
in the
of implementing
the
ENVISAGING that the free movement of persons, capital, goods and services will
promote integration, Pan-Africanism, enhance science, technology, education, research
and foster tourism, facilitate intra-Africa trade and investment, increase remittances
within Africa, promote mobility of labour, create employment, improve the standards of
living of the people of Africa and facilitate the mobilization and utilization of the human
and material resources of Africa in order to achieve self-reliance and development;
AWARE of the need to ensure that effective measures are put in place in order to
prevent situations whereby upholding the freedom of movement of people will not lead
to situations whereby the arrival and settlement of migrants in a given host country will
create or exacerbate inequalities or will constitute challenges to peace and security;
NOTING
that the free movement of persons in Africa will facilitate the establishment of
the Continental Free Trade Area endorsed by the African Union 18" Ordinary Session
of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government;
NOTING
FURTHER
the decision
of the
Peace
and
Security Council
adopted
at its
661*tmeeting (PSC/PR/COMM.1 (DCLXI) held on 234 February 2017, in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, where the Council acknowledged that the benefits of free movement of people,
goods and services far outweigh the real and potential security and economic
challenges that may be perceived or generated;
RECALLING
FURTHER the decision of the Peace and Security Council adopted at the
661s meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC/PR/COMM.1
23rd February 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in which the Peace and
underlined the need to ensure a phased approach in implementing AU
on free movement of people and goods, mindful of the variances
security concerns of Member States;
(DCLXI) held on
Security Council
policy decisions
in the legitimate
REAFFIRMING our belief in our common destiny, shared values and the affirmation of
the African identity, the celebration of unity in diversity and the institution of the African
citizenship as expressed in the Solemn Declaration of the 50" Anniversary adopted by
the 21%! Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis
Ababa on 23" May, 2013;
DETERMINED
to enhance
the economic
prosperous and integrated continent;
development
of Member
States through
a
MINDFUL of the decision of the Assembly adopted in July, 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda
(Assembly/AU/Dec.607(XXVII) welcoming the launch of the African Passport and
urging Member States to adopt the African Passport and to work closely with the African