Image Credit: Adam Schultz
US President Joe Biden has announced plans to expel Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR) from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) trade programme due to their involvement in "gross violations" of human rights or lack of progress toward democratic rule. Agoa, introduced in 2000, provides duty-free access to the US for over 1,800 products for eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
Biden noted that Niger and Gabon, currently under military rule following coups, are ineligible for Agoa as they have not established or made continual progress toward political pluralism and the rule of law. The removal of CAR and Uganda from the programme is due to "gross violations of internationally recognised human rights." The expulsion from Agoa will take effect from the beginning of next year and will likely impact these countries' economies. Agoa has been credited with promoting exports, economic growth, and job creation among participating nations. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni noted that US companies had already stopped importing textiles from Uganda due to the country's controversial anti-homosexuality law.
