Raila Odinga Promises to Abolish Visas for Domestic Travel in Africa If He Is Elected Chairman of the AU Commission

• Former prime minister Raila Odinga promised to defend the establishment of the AU Visa for ease of travel across the continent
• The AU launched the African passport program in 2018, which aims to remove obstacles to the freedom of Africans to move, work and live on their continent
• Raila also promised to support airspace reform and intra-African trade, saying that the African continent is wasting time and resources looking for foreign markets.

The Kenyan candidate for the chair of the African Union Commission (AUC), Raila Odingahas vowed to lead reforms within the continental community if he is elected chairman.

What did Raila promise when he was elected AUC chairman?

Raila he promised to defend the establishment of the AU Visa for ease of travel across the continent.

The AU launched the African passport program in 2018, which aims to remove obstacles to the freedom of Africans to move, work and live in their continent. However, it has not yet been implemented.

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Speaking during the official launch of his quest on Tuesday, August 27, at the White House NairobiRaila vowed to remove travel restrictions in Africa.

“My friend Aliko Dangote says to travel across the continent he needs 35 visas. His French competitor does not need a visa to travel with a French passport in Africa, what a shame,Raila said.

The retired prime minister explained that he will make sure that traveling around Africa is easy, as it is in European countries.

“In Europe you only need a Schengen visa and you can travel across Europe without a problem, we will also make sure that we reach a point where we can issue an AU visa and allow people to travel across the continent without a problem,” he added. .

What did Raila say about trade restrictions?

To promote connectivity, Raila also pledged to support aviation reform and intra-African trade, noting that the continent was wasting time and resources looking for overseas markets to benefit from.

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He said that Africa must ensure that it trades with itself, noting that the current percentage of intra-African trade is only 15%.

“We need to address barriers including non-tariff barriers [ambavyo] have been imposed by other African countries against the benefits of other countries and most importantly the issue of infrastructure,” Raila said.

What is Raila's vision?

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Raila's bid to become the chairman of the African Union Commission was gaining momentum.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'oei Sing'oei shared pictures of two brochures containing the profile of the opposition leader and his vision statement for the AUC post.

The ODM leader gave a list of African presidents who had clearly supported his aspirations for the continent.

What to know about the Raila AU bid

• The Kenyan government announced Raila as Kenya's candidate for the AU Commission.
• Several leaders of neighboring countries, including Uganda and Tanzania, attended the official launch of Raila's mission at the Nairobi State House.
• Chief minister Musalia Mudavadi expressed confidence that Raila will win the seat.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke