President Joe Biden has unveiled plans to remove Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR) from a special US-Africa trade program. The decision is rooted in concerns over “gross violations” of human rights and insufficient progress toward democratic governance in these nations.
The trade program in question, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), was established by the United States in 2000. Agoa grants eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for more than 1,800 products.
Niger and Gabon, both currently under military rule due to coups this year, have been deemed ineligible for Agoa. This is because they “have not established, or are not making continual progress toward establishing the protection of political pluralism and the rule of law”, BBC reports.
Furthermore, the expulsion of CAR and Uganda from Agoa is a response to the “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” committed by their respective governments.
Uganda had previously faced potential removal from Agoa and sanctions due to the passage of a controversial anti-homosexuality law in May.
In a letter addressed to the speaker of the US House of Representatives, President Biden said,
“Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the Agoa eligibility criteria.”
These four nations are yet to respond to the announcement, which coincides with South Africa hosting the 20th Agoa forum from Thursday. Their expulsion from Agoa will become effective at the beginning of the next year, potentially impacting their economies, as Agoa has been instrumental in promoting exports, economic growth, and job creation among participating countries.
CAR is expected to be the least affected by this expulsion since it recorded minimal US exports in 2022, while Uganda, Gabon, and Niger exported considerably more, creating significant trade imbalances.
Uganda, in particular, faced challenges as several American companies ceased importing textiles, a key component of the Agoa trade deal, due to the passage of the anti-homosexuality law.
Furthermore, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni banned the importation of second-hand clothes, largely supplied by the US, in August.
The US government has taken other measures against Niger and Gabon, including suspending most foreign aid to Gabon and pausing certain assistance programs benefiting the government of Niger. This action follows similar consequences faced by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea after military coups in those countries.
| Sahara Reporters
