By Chika Otuchikere
For the second time in one month former President Olusegun Obasanjo has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari, this time, for failing to sign the Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
Obasanjo bared his mind, Tuesday, on the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, during a presidential panel, tagged: a�?When Leaders Make Historya�� at the Africa CEO Forum in Abidjan, Cote da��Ivoire.
The former President, however, said that he is confident that the President will change his mind before it gets too late. He was joined by the President of Zimbabwe, Emerson Mnangagwa.
Obasanjo said, a�?That President Buhari didna��t sign the free trade agreement in Kigali is disappointing; I hope he signs it before it is too late.
In his words, a�?Egypt started the discussion on the formation of the Organisation of African Unity but didna��t conclude it and Nigeria took over.
a�?Nigeria was also central to the discussion of the free trade agreement, but I am surprised that the country withdrew from signing.a�?
The AfCFTA treaty is targeted at creating a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons, investments and a single currency. It is one of the flagship projects of the African Union Agenda 2063.
In addition, the agreement compels countries to remove tariffs on 90 per cent of goods and to liberalise services. It intends to phase out as tariff-free items identified as sensitive, which make up the balance 10 per cent.
OBJ slams Buhari for rejecting Africa Free Trade deal
