US Expels Uganda and Three African Nations from AGOA Trade Deal Due to Human Rights Concerns

In a significant move, US President Joe Biden has announced plans to remove Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic (CAR) from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade program. President Biden cited “gross violations” of human rights and a lack of progress towards democratic governance as the primary reasons for this decision.

AGOA, established in 2000, allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products, promoting exports, economic growth, and job creation. However, Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and CAR have been deemed ineligible due to their governments’ alleged human rights violations and failure to uphold democratic principles.

Niger and Gabon, currently under military rule following coups, were declared ineligible for AGOA as they have not made sufficient progress toward establishing political pluralism and the rule of law. Uganda and CAR faced expulsion due to their governments’ gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, with Uganda drawing particular attention for its controversial anti-homosexuality law, which imposed severe penalties for certain same-sex acts.

President Biden, in a letter to the US House of Representatives, emphasized the failure of these countries to address US concerns about their non-compliance with AGOA eligibility criteria. The expulsion is set to take effect from the beginning of next year and is expected to impact the economies of these nations significantly.

Uganda, which exported goods worth $174 million to the US last year, faced additional challenges as American companies stopped importing textiles due to concerns over the anti-homosexuality law. Gabon and Niger recorded US exports of $220 million and $73 million, respectively, highlighting the economic impact of their expulsion from AGOA.

Furthermore, Niger and Gabon faced previous US government actions, with most foreign aid to Gabon suspended until the establishment of democratic rule. Similar measures were taken against Niger, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles to maintain international support.

This decision follows previous expulsions from AGOA, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, in response to military coups in those countries. The move signals the US administration’s commitment to human rights and democratic values in its trade relationships with African nations, underlining the importance of adherence to international standards for continued participation in AGOA.