Gabon Cancels Visas For Nationals Of Central Africa.
- Linda EYONG Suzy
- Oct 21, 2017
- 2 min read
Gabon has ratified Thursday the abolition of visas for nationals of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), in line with the agreement reached in 2013 on freedom of movement in Central Africa, announced Friday authorities.
Nationals of the CEMAC zone (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Chad) are "no more subject to the obligation of visa to Gabon for a stay not exceeding three months," according to a circular which took effect on 19 October. The measure aims to "ensure the need for free movement and safety requirement."
The country of 1.8 million people, attracts decades many immigrants, especially from West Africa (Nigeria, Benin), many of them illegal.
The six members of the CEMAC in 2013 had reached an agreement on free movement. But the agreement was never implemented because of the refusal of Equatorial Guinea and - until now - Gabon, both oil countries with small populations and relatively prosperous, that particular feared mass and uncontrolled immigration.
Equatorial Guinea had reiterated his refusal mid-August of the free movement agreement, except for holders of "diplomatic, official and service passports."
Gabon also announced that "a derogatory special treatment accorded to nationals of the G20 countries and those of the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) wishing to go to Gabon" in order to "enhance the attractiveness of the country and its opening to foreign direct investment advantage, "said a statement from the Interior Ministry dated Thursday.
The Central African Republic has "materialized" October 13 the agreement on free movement between countries of the CEMAC. In early August, Chad had agreed to remove the visa requirement for nationals of CEMAC. Founded in June 2000 in Malabo, the CEMAC brings together countries with very different income and hardly implement economic and monetary integration mechanisms.
Translated from Afrique Media.
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