US President Joe Biden has unveiled plans to remove Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic from a special US-Africa trade program.
The decision is attributed to their involvement in “gross violations” of human rights or their lack of progress toward democratic governance.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) was introduced by the US in 2000, providing duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries.
President Biden stated that Niger and Gabon, both under military rule due to coups this year, are ineligible for Agoa because they haven’t demonstrated progress in establishing political pluralism and the rule of law.
The removal of the Central African Republic and Uganda from the program is due to “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” by their governments.
Uganda faced potential removal from Agoa earlier for passing a controversial anti-homosexuality law with the death penalty for certain same-sex acts.
President Biden communicated these decisions in a letter to the US House of Representatives, emphasizing that despite engagement, these countries failed to address US concerns about their Agoa eligibility.
The expulsion of these countries from Agoa will take effect at the beginning of the next year and is expected to impact their economies, as Agoa has played a significant role in promoting exports, economic growth, and job creation in participating nations.
This decision to exclude Niger and Gabon follows other US government actions against the two countries, including suspending most foreign aid to Gabon until a transitional government establishes democratic rule and pausing certain foreign assistance programs benefiting Niger after the military coup.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea were previously expelled from Agoa following military coups in those nations.
Source-BBC
