Kenya and Tanzania recently took an important decision by lifting the visa requirement for citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This initiative, which comes into force on August 25 and September 1, 2023, respectively, is in line with the provisions of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol.
The move was welcomed by EAC Secretary-General Dr Peter Mathuki, who sees it as an opportunity to strengthen intra-regional trade and improve the well-being of EAC citizens. However, it is important to note that Uganda has not yet followed its neighbors in this move, raising questions about its position.
Several reasons may explain Uganda’s reluctance to lift the visa requirement for Congolese. First, security concerns come into play. With a porous border with eastern DRC, a volatile region controlled by armed groups, Uganda fears that lifting visas could facilitate uncontrolled cross-border movements and compromises the security of the country.
Then, the question of migratory pressure arises. Uganda is already an attractive country for many Congolese migrants, and easing access to the country could lead to a massive influx of population, requiring additional investment in public services to meet growing needs.
Finally, Uganda can also use the visa issue as leverage in regional negotiations. By maintaining this requirement, the country can seek concessions from the DRC and other EAC states in exchange for a possible visa waiver, thereby strengthening its position in the discussions.
However, despite these legitimate considerations, Uganda cannot ignore the importance of free movement of people within the EAC indefinitely. If regional integration remains a priority, the country will eventually have to follow in the footsteps of Kenya and Tanzania. Reciprocity in freedom of movement, as provided for in the EAC Protocol, is essential to realize the ambitions of a true common market in East Africa.
In conclusion, the decision by Kenya and Tanzania to lift the visa requirement for DRC citizens represents a step forward in achieving regional integration. For this momentum to continue, it is crucial that Uganda joins this initiative and contributes to the creation of an enabling environment for trade and mobility of people within the EAC. Only a collective commitment by Member States will make it possible to fully realize the benefits of an East African common market.