Ruto Eyes Visa-Free Deal With Senegal

President William Ruto is targeting to drop visa restrictions for Kenyans visiting Senegal and vice versa.

The Head of State on Thursday, January 26 met his Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sall, and held talks at the Presidential Palace in Dakar during his tour of the West African country.

According to a statement from State House, Ruto and Sall stated that they will strive to take common positions on issues affecting the Continent, with both countries agreeing to work together in championing the integration of Africa.

President Ruto said the move will further Africa's agenda and consolidate its position at the United Nations (UN).

President William Ruto unveiling a plaque during the official opening of the Kenya Embassy in Dakar, Senegal on January 26, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

"We must unite and amplify our voices at the global level,” he stated. 

On his part, President Sall called on African countries to abolish visa requirements for Africans to ease the movement of people and factors of production.

President Ruto said Kenya and Senegal are exploring the possibility of a visa-free regime for citizens of the two countries. 

He further noted that his Senegalese counterpart had committed to support the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Kenyan visa ranking has been changing on the global stage, but more and more countries have authorised citizens to enter their countries without the visa requirement. 

As of now, Kenyans are allowed to enter South Africa without the visa requirement after Presidents Ruto and Cyril Ramaphosa struck a deal, removing the visa requirements for citizens between the two countries. Under the deal, Kenyans will travel to South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days a year.

"From January 1, 2023, we will have a different regime thanks to your personal intervention in this matter and the wealth of experience that has been brought on board by your officials.

"Kenyans holding ordinary passports will be allowed to enter South Africa on a visa-free regime of up to 90 days per calendar year," he announced.

Ruto added that he and Ramaphosa reached a deal that will introduce mechanisms for dealing with citizens from their respective countries who are found breaking laws in the host countries.

"The two countries have also agreed on a return policy when immigration laws are breached to make sure that bad elements that try to infiltrate our borders are dealt with firmly and decisively," he added.

He also noted that the two heads of state agreed to develop a sustainable mechanism to identify, monitor and resolve non-tariff barriers that limit the trade potential between the two countries.

Ruto also bagged a deal with Eritrea on December 9, 2022, which dropped visa requirements for their respective citizens in a move made to advance regional integration.

Eritrean president, Isaias Afwerki hosts President William Ruto on December 9, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO