You’ll make Africa proud, Obasanjo says of Raila’s AUC candidature

Raila to introduce AU visas if elected AUC chairman

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has exuded confidence that former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga will transform Africa if he wins the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat.

Speaking at the unveiling of Raila’s candidature for the seat at State House Nairobi, Obasanjo said he was confident Raila will steer Africa to greater heights.

“He will make Africa proud, he will make Africa powerful, he will make Africa peaceful and he will make Africa prosperous. We need it all and you can count on us for support and you have seen,” he said.

He reminded Raila to ensure Africa gets an AU visa to ease the movement of people within the continent.

Kenya’s candidate for the AUC chairmanship, Raila has hinted at plans to roll out AU visas if his bid for the top seat is successful.

Odinga said the AU Visas would enhance free movement of people and goods across the continent to promote intra-Africa trade.

Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which was signed in 2018, he said has failed to register success due to bottlenecks which hamper movement from one country to another.

Traders and businessmen, he said are required to have up to 35 visas to travel across Africa whereas their counterparts who hold French passports were freely travelling across the continent since they do not require a visa to do so.

This, he said, has seen growth of Intra-Africa trade as a share of global trade decline to13.7% in 2022 with African countries trading more outside the continent.

Odinga said his priority if elected AUC Chair will be to unite the continent to speak with one voice to unlock bottlenecks in trade among other issues.