In pursuit of regional citizenship and identity: the free movement of persons in the Southern African development community

The migration of persons across international boundaries in search of better opportunities or as a result of war, conflict and political instability has risen substantially. This paper points out that this movement of persons significantly challenges the notions of individual, group or national identity associated with nation states.

The paper finds that:

• there is an emerging consensus that, if migration is properly managed by both the countries of origin and the destination countries, it can have a positive developmental impact
• migration is inevitable, but at the same time there is an expressed need for it to be managed, rather than just allowing it to increase as a result of globalisation

The argument that migration should be managed as part of a developmental framework is often seen to be at odds with dominant opinions within nation states about who the beneficiaries of such development ought to be. It is at this intersection of migration, citizenship and national identity and development that the concepts related to the free movement of persons become complex and sometimes controversial. In order to make these complexities more tangible the paper examines the Southern African case.

The paper comes to the conclusion that there is a substantial gap between the views and initiatives of the political elite on the one hand and their citizens on the other. While many political leaders proclaim and foster a sense of belonging and identity that transcends national boundaries, this is not the case with citizens for whom national borders remain paramount and the distinction between 'insiders' and 'outsiders' is more often than not based on nationality and citizenship.

The author finds that this view is based on the false assumption that developing a regional identity is in conflict with maintaining a national identity, which is not necessarily the case and therefore recommends encouraging and promoting citizens to develop a stronger sense of regional identity without having to give up or forsake their national identities.