Ras Mubarak has issued a strong call for African governments and citizens to urgently dismantle visa restrictions, high travel costs and colonial-era systems that hinder free movement and economic integration on the continent.
Speaking on Asaase Yaad Settingz on Sunday (18 January), the former MP argued that Africa’s failure to allow its own people to move freely has fuelled poverty, youth unemployment and dangerous migration routes, including deaths in the Mediterranean.
“In The Gambia alone, we arrived when 190 young people had just died trying to cross the Mediterranean in search of non-existent opportunities,” he said. “These things cannot continue.”
Ras Mubarak rejected claims that Africa is “not ready” for visa-free travel, arguing that insecurity and crime are often exaggerated and rooted in fear rather than data.
“Out of 1.4 billion Africans, criminals are not even up to one percent,” he said. “You cannot deny your brother access to your house because of fear.”
He explained that a borderless Africa goes beyond visas, envisioning a continent with a single passport, shared currency, unified mobile networks and seamless trade, similar to the European integration model.
He criticised African governments for maintaining systems that make travel within the continent more expensive than travelling to Europe or the Middle East, citing exorbitant airline taxes and hotel prices.
“In some African countries, the taxes on an air ticket are more expensive than the ticket itself,” he said. “A two-star hotel is charging $400. That excludes the teacher, the farmer, the trader.”
Ras Mubarak also condemned African leaders for exporting raw materials while importing finished goods, describing the practice as self-inflicted economic sabotage.
“Why import fertiliser from Europe when Morocco produces it? Why export rubber from Liberia and buy it back as finished products?” he questioned.
Addressing concerns about crime, migration and xenophobia, he cited Rwanda as a model, noting that despite bordering conflict-prone countries, it has opened its borders and invested in biometric systems and strong institutions.
“If Rwanda can rise from genocide and do it, what excuse does Ghana have?” he asked.
He further stressed that Africa’s challenges are not only leadership failures but also citizen failures, urging Africans to take responsibility for sanitation, civic discipline and electoral choices.
“Leaders are a reflection of who we are,” he said. “If you don’t vote, or you vote based on tribe or religion, you are part of the problem.”
Ras Mubarak said the campaign aims to push Africa toward full visa-free travel by 2030, rather than the African Union’s 2063 target.
“We need it now,” he insisted. “African independence now. Visa-free Africa now.”
He concluded by urging Africans to reject fear-driven narratives about their own continent, stating that after travelling over 40,000 kilometres, he is convinced Africa is largely safe, welcoming and ready for integration.
“If Africa is fixed, nobody will risk dying in Europe’s freezer,” he said.
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