Occasional Paper

Towards the Free Movement of People in Southern Africa

“The purpose of this paper is to seek to analyse the 1995 and 1997 protocols with a view to examine the feasibility of the free movement of people at this juncture of SADC’s
development. The paper also raises broader questions related to the issue of regional
integration. In order to realise the objectives of the Protocol, four phases were identified. Phase 1 was to see the visa-free entry of SADC nationals into member states for short visits not exceeding six months. Phase 2 was to see the rights of residence extended to all SADC nationals, while phase 3 was to result in the right to establish, including the right to work. Phase 4 aimed to
result in the elimination of all internal national borders between SADC member states.”