Odinga stated that the introduction of an AU visa would significantly enhance the free movement of people and goods across the continent, thereby promoting intra-Africa trade.
He lamented that traders and businesspeople in Africa are required to obtain numerous visas to travel across the continent, while their foreign counterparts can do so freely.
'My friend Aliko Dangote says that to travel across the continent, he needs 35 visas. His French competitor does not need a visa to travel with a French visa in Africa. What a shame. In Europe, you only need a Schengen visa to travel across the entire continent without a problem,' Odinga said.
He pledged to introduce the AU visa to remove the bottlenecks that have hindered free movement for decades.
'We will also ensure that we reach a stage where we can issue an AU visa and allow people to travel across the continent without much difficulty,' Odinga stated.
Odinga was speaking during the official launch of his campaign for the top continental role at State House Nairobi. The ceremony was attended by five heads of state and high-ranking dignitaries from various countries.
If elected AU Commissioner Chair, Odinga also promised to pursue a Continental Air Control System to streamline air travel by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, improving efficiency, and enhancing coordination between countries.
'Air transport is a major challenge in Africa. Today, travelling across the continent is too expensive. You have to obtain permits to fly over countries, which delays movement. Flying over Europe is much easier than in Africa. We need to have a Continental Air Control System within the continent so that people can travel from East to West and North to South without a problem,' Odinga said during the launch.
'I will make the African Union more people-centered to align with the vision of Your Excellencies if elected to this position,' he added.
He also emphasized the need to address constraints in infrastructure development across the continent to facilitate trade between African countries, stating that greater efforts should be dedicated to building highways that link the continent.
The launch of Odinga's AUC bid was presided over by Kenya's President William Ruto, who expressed confidence in his ability to lead the AUC due to his illustrious leadership career.
'I present to you a visionary Pan-African, a bold and wise leader, a professional and technocrat, as well as a towering statesman and veteran mobilizer for positive change. I am confident that he will give his utmost and do all it takes to make Africa proud and powerful,' President Ruto said.
Also present were Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.
The heads of state vowed to support Odinga's bid during the polls scheduled for February 2025, saying he was the best fit.
Rwanda's Minister of State in charge of Regional Cooperation, James Kabarebe, represented President Paul Kagame at the event.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/odinga-pledges-to-introduce-au-visa-if-elected-commission-chair
