Kenya seeks swift removal of EAC trade barriers

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Kenyan president William Ruto has challenged East African countries to swiftly remove barriers hampering trade in the region.

President Ruto said that the restrictions placed at border crossings by the various countries were impeding cross movement of people, goods and services.

“Removal of such barriers is necessary for sustainable growth and development in the East and Horn of Africa regions,” he said.

He noted that political boundaries were “old-fashioned and divisive” and thus member states should work together to forge close partnership for the benefit of its citizens.

“We must not give credibility to the artificial boundaries that exist in our region,” he said when he launched a flagship report on migration in the EA and Horn of Africa blocs in Nairobi.

He added that the boundaries existing between African countries were created by the colonialists during the Berlin Conference when Africa was partitioned saying that it is time African leaders converted the barriers to stepping stones for development.

Ruto spoke during the launch of a flagship report on migration in the EA and Horn of Africa blocs titled,  “State of Migration in the East and Horn of Africa.’’

According to the International Organization on Migration regional director Mohammed Abdiker, the report examines the various aspects of migration – such as the free movement of goods and services and the free movement of persons, which are essential to harnessing the benefits of intra-African trade.

The report also examines labor mobility and economic integration, safer human mobility and integrated border governance particularly through One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs).

The director also noted that the report would serve as “an intellectual compass” for defining the future policy agenda of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and governments.

EAC secretary general Peter Mathuki said policy suggestions made would be considered in addressing challenges in advancing the mobility dimensions of regional integration.

These will include labour migration and continued collaboration between RECs on areas of common interest.

“I am optimistic that practitioners and policymakers will find this report a valuable basis for migration-related policy development in an integrated region,” he said.