Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (center) during the 42nd General Council of the Organization of Africa Trade Union Unity-OATUU meeting. (Photo: CGTN)

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday called on the Organization of Africa Trade Union Unity-OATUU to help create opportunities on the continent that can help African youths and curb illegal migration abroad.

Kenyatta says it is disheartening to see Africans die crossing the Mediterranean Sea to seek opportunities because the continent cannot come together and grow its own prosperity that would provide them employment opportunities.

“We are not each other’s enemy. We must learn that our solidarity, our collaboration is our prosperity and our future.” the President said.

Mr. Kenyatta also urged the African labour organizations to advocate for the free movement of goods, persons, labour and capital across the entire African continent.

Further, he said Kenya’s government is leading by example in the promotion of free movement of goods, persons, labour and capital not just in the region but the entire continent adding that Kenya has eliminated barriers for East Africans who wish to work in the country.

“The People of Kenya understand that immigrant labour of our African brothers and sisters adds rather than lessens our prosperity."

He called on labour organizations to promote a stable job market and cordial industrial relations on the continent to foster local business and attract foreign investment.

He asked the leadership of the labour organizations to help build bridges of unity and pan-Africanism, saying it is the surest path to national and continental peace and prosperity.

“As we usher in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) under the auspices of the African Union, we must begin laying the groundwork for even closer cooperation and integration in Africa.” the President said.

He recommitted Kenya’s support to OATUU through an annual grant of 200,000 US dollars to advance the organization's integration agenda.