Ugandan lawyer urges AU to reject Europe’s migration deals

A Ugandan lawyer and youth advocate, Mwanje Gideon, has called on the African Union (AU) to urgently introduce a continental digital currency, invest in youth development, remove barriers to movement across Africa and reject migration agreements that turn African countries into offshore detention centres for European nations.

Gideon, alias Batapa, born on 8th April 2000, in Bamunaniika, Luwero, Uganda said the measures were necessary to accelerate Africa’s economic integration, strengthen its sovereignty, create employment opportunities for young people and protect the dignity of migrants and asylum seekers.

He made the appeal in a letter dated September 10, 2026, addressed to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He physically went to submit the  letter at the AU headquarters.

In the letter titled “Urgent Priorities for Africa’s Economic Integration, Youth, and Sovereignty,” the Kampala-based lawyer acknowledged the progress made towards continental unity through the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity, its transformation into the African Union and the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He, however, expressed concern that Africa continued to face significant economic, political and migration challenges despite decades of commitments to regional integration.

According to him, the rapidly changing global political and economic landscape demands urgent and practical measures to safeguard Africa’s future.

Gideon identified four priority areas requiring immediate intervention by the continental body.

Calls for African digital currency

On economic integration, the lawyer advocated the development of a secure continental digital currency specifically designed to facilitate cross-border trade among African countries.

He argued that the current reliance on foreign currencies for transactions between African countries was undermining regional trade and draining valuable financial resources from the continent.

“Today, a trader in East Africa selling goods to West Africa often has to convert local money into foreign currencies first, paying heavy transaction fees and losing valuable capital along the way,” he said.

Gideon maintained that although the long-term ambition of establishing a unified African currency remained important, businesses could not afford to wait indefinitely for its realisation.

He proposed the introduction of a digital Afro currency that would enable African businesses to conduct transactions seamlessly across borders.

“A digital Afro currency would allow African businesses to buy and sell from one another seamlessly, keep financial value within our continent, and build real economic independence,” he stated.

He said such an initiative would strengthen intra-African trade, reduce transaction costs and accelerate the continent’s economic integration.

Seeks investment in sports, technology for African youth

The lawyer also urged African governments to prioritise investment in sports infrastructure, technology development, digital education and innovation centres as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment.

He noted that Africa, despite having the world’s youngest population, continued to struggle with inadequate employment and economic opportunities for millions of young people.

According to him, the global sports industry generates more than $500 billion annually through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandise, sports tourism and other commercial activities.

Gideon cited Senegalese football star Sadio Mané and Egyptian international Mohamed Salah as examples of African athletes whose success had contributed to economic development in their home countries.

He claimed that Mané had invested more than $20 million in his hometown of Bambali, Senegal, supporting projects ranging from healthcare and education to agro-industrial development.

According to him, the investments have created employment opportunities, reduced poverty and strengthened the local economy.

He also highlighted Salah’s contributions to healthcare, youth development and community infrastructure in Egypt.

Gideon argued that developing more internationally competitive African athletes could generate substantial foreign exchange earnings and stimulate local economic growth.

“If Africa produces 1,000 elite athletes operating at Sadio Mané or Mohamed Salah’s market value across various international disciplines, the economy would see a direct capital injection exceeding $500 million in foreign currency inflows, transfer fees, and player remittances,” he said.

He urged the AU and member states to recognise sports as a major economic sector rather than merely a recreational activity.

“Sports are no longer just recreation; they are a major global industry that creates millions of jobs, builds local economies, and unites communities,” he said.

He added that investments in technology hubs, innovation centres and digital education would equip young Africans with the skills required to develop globally competitive products without leaving their home countries.

“Investing in our youth is the most critical economic investment Africa can make today,” Gideon declared.

Demands visa-free movement across Africa

On regional mobility, Gideon expressed concern that African citizens continued to encounter restrictive immigration procedures, high visa fees and lengthy processing times when travelling between countries on the continent.

He described the situation as inconsistent with Africa’s ambition to achieve economic and political integration.

The lawyer particularly criticised travel restrictions affecting African citizens attending meetings, conducting business or participating in civil society activities in cities hosting major continental institutions.

He identified Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Banjul, The Gambia, among important diplomatic destinations where easier movement should be guaranteed.

Gideon called on the African Union to introduce a mandatory policy granting African passport holders free visa-on-arrival access for at least four days when visiting member states hosting major continental headquarters.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would enable entrepreneurs, civil society representatives and other African citizens to conduct legitimate activities without unnecessary immigration difficulties.

“This short pass would give visitors enough time to complete their business calmly, rather than rushing through important meetings just to avoid immigration penalties,” he explained.

He maintained that removing unnecessary travel barriers would promote regional cooperation, strengthen people-to-people relations and bring the continent closer to achieving a borderless Africa.

Warns against Europe’s migration externalisation policies

Gideon also called for stronger African Union intervention against the externalisation of European migration and border control policies to African countries.

He expressed concern over arrangements under which European governments seek agreements with African states to host, process or detain migrants and asylum seekers in exchange for financial assistance or development funding.

The lawyer warned that such agreements could undermine Africa’s sovereignty and expose vulnerable migrants to human rights violations.

“Exchanging human beings for money is a deeply dangerous path that echoes the darkest chapters of our continent’s history,” he said.

He argued that wealthy countries should not transfer their international refugee protection responsibilities to African nations through financial arrangements.

According to him, the responsibility to protect people fleeing persecution must be shared in accordance with international refugee law and the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to places where they face serious threats to their lives or freedom.

“Western nations must not be allowed to contract out their international duties simply because African hospitality, our spirit of Karibu, is warm and welcoming,” he stated.

Gideon urged the African Union to investigate existing migration cooperation agreements between African and European countries to determine whether they comply with international human rights standards.

He also called on the continental body to publicly condemn agreements that compromise migrant dignity in exchange for financial benefits.

“The African Union must investigate all existing migration deals, publicly condemn those that trade human dignity for funds, and warn member states against entering into arrangements that turn our land into offshore detention centers,” he said.

The lawyer maintained that African countries must resist becoming holding centres for migrants rejected or transferred by European governments.

He stressed that Africa’s traditional hospitality should not be exploited to justify arrangements that shift migration management responsibilities away from countries with obligations to protect asylum seekers.

Urges AU to demonstrate stronger leadership

Gideon concluded by urging the African Union Commission to demonstrate decisive leadership in advancing continental economic independence, youth empowerment, freedom of movement and migrant protection.

He maintained that the proposed initiatives were interconnected and essential to achieving a prosperous, united and sovereign Africa.

According to him, a continental digital currency would facilitate trade, investment in sports and technology would empower young people, relaxed travel restrictions would strengthen integration, while rejecting exploitative migration agreements would protect Africa’s dignity and independence.

He said millions of Africans were looking to the continental organisation to translate its longstanding commitments into practical policies that would improve their lives.

“These four priorities—a digital currency for trade, youth development through sports and tech, borderless Africa, easier travel to continental hubs, and the defense of human dignity against unfair migration deals—are essential steps for a truly sovereign Africa,” he said.

“With those four points, if realised, we shall start to see a unified Africa,” Gideon added.