CPLP Mobility Pact Stalling: Analysts Warn of Backtrack
As the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) approaches its 30th anniversary, the organization’s landmark mobility agreement is under fire. Analysts speaking to Lusa warn that the pact—once hailed as a breakthrough for Lusophone integration—is being undermined by the very member states that signed it, with Portugal’s recent policy shifts at the center of the controversy.
The ‘Greatest Achievement’ Under Threat
Adopted in July 2021 during the Luanda summit, the Agreement on Mobility was intended to streamline travel and residency across the nine-nation bloc. However, Portuguese analyst Fernando Jorge Cardoso notes that political shifts have stalled progress. He points to Portugal’s recent overhaul of its foreigners’ law, which now requires Lusophone citizens to secure work or residence visas in their home countries before arrival—a significant hurdle compared to previous exemptions.
Cardoso attributes this backtrack to a change in government and a hardening international stance on migration. “Portugal is limited not only by its internal policy but also by the rules of the Schengen Area,” he explained, though he noted that the agreement has not been officially abolished.
“Neocolonial” Labor Needs
Critics argue the agreement has become a tool for economic convenience rather than genuine community building. Cape Verdean sociologist Redy Lima described the current visa facilitation as a “neocolonial idea,” suggesting that Portugal only eases restrictions when it faces labor shortages.
“The Cape Verdean who wants to go on vacation or visit family continues to face difficulties,” Lima lamented, calling the CPLP project a failure that reflects “unequal relationships” between member states. This sentiment was echoed by Liberato Moniz, president of the Lusíada University of São Tomé and Príncipe, who criticized the bloc for only applying free movement when there is a demand for workers.
Bureaucratic Barriers and Diplomatic Deadlocks
For many, the CPLP’s promises do not match the reality on the ground. Brazilian analyst Adriano de Freixo noted that despite the agreement, CPLP citizens often face longer wait times at Portuguese airports than travelers from non-member nations. Meanwhile, Mozambican professor Elísio Macamo described the mobility pact as “the most disappointing part” of the Lusophone project.
Macamo highlighted the structural constraints preventing true mobility, noting that Portugal’s EU obligations and Brazil’s Mercosul ties limit their autonomy. “Even on the African side, there is not much flexibility to facilitate the entry of Portuguese or Brazilians,” he acknowledged.
The Road to the Next Decade
Despite the criticism, experts believe mobility remains the key to the organization’s survival. Angolan political scientist Almeida Henriques called for a “liberalization” of movement to prevent the demotivation of citizens. Redy Lima argued that the next ten years must be dedicated to consolidating these rights.
“People need to feel the CPLP,” Lima said. “If it can overcome this obstacle, it will open other opportunities.”
The CPLP, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on July 17, comprises Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.
Image: Pexels – Leonid Altman
