Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the actions of some African leaders that failed to attend and sign the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement as criminal.
President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa and nine other countries failed to sign the deal, with an excuse to consult more stakeholders on the agreement.
Obasanjo, who attended the event criticised African presidents who refused to sign the trade pact, saying their excuse is ‘mere flimsy excuse and criminal.
“I am surprised that any African leader at this point in time will be talking about either not understanding the Continental free trade area or not to support what we’re going to sign. I see that as criminal.
“The signing and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will enable a shift from dependence on assistance to increased trade.”
“The establishment of the Free Trade Area will result in the establishment of a market of over one billion two hundred million people, with a combined gross product of over three trillion dollars.”
“That is where our salvation lies, trading amongst ourselves and consequently developing our economies. The agreement will inspire a change a perception of the continent by the rest of the world,” he said.
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