Editor, REFERENCE IS made to Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s article, “The Africa we want; it’s in our hands” (The New Times, June 26). In the “Africa we want”, free movement of people (visa-free Africa) is central to its realisation. DR Congo has just imposed various visa fees for Rwandans despite a standing protocol between the two countries as members of CEPGL that allows citizens to move across the borders freely. We are making a step forward and two backwards. Is the African Union in a position to address this situation? I doubt it. The move to impose visa fees to Rwandans by DR Congo is a blatant disrespect of standing protocol between the regional countries under CEPGL; it’s also against the “Africa we want” spirit. But the most damaging aspect of this decision is that, in the end, it is the citizens of DR Congo that are affected the most. Such leaders have no place in rising Africa. At this week’s African Union Heads of State Summit, the AU Chairperson stated that, “The Africa we want is in our grasp”. Until the AU is able to address such issues as mentioned above, it will continue to be seen as a talk shop. AU must do more than just focus on peace and security. Gerald, Rwanda
