The African Union is introducing a common passport that will allow visa-free access to all 54 member states, superseding existing national documents.
Full house —
The African Union is introducing a common passport that will allow visa-free access to all 54 member states, superseding existing national documents.
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The electronic passports will first be issued to heads of states and officials at the upcoming African Union summit in Rwanda, before being rolled out to citizens.
First served —
The electronic passports will first be issued to heads of states and officials at the upcoming African Union summit in Rwanda, before being rolled out to citizens.
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The move represents a step towards a continental integration and the historic vision of 'Pan-Africanism' espoused by post-independence leaders such as Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah (left) and Egypt's second president Gamal Abdel Nasser (right).
Pan-Africanism —
The move represents a step towards a continental integration and the historic vision of 'Pan-Africanism' espoused by post-independence leaders such as Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah (left) and Egypt's second president Gamal Abdel Nasser (right).
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The African Union believes easing access restrictions for travel within the continent will reduce then number of people embarking on dangerous migration routes.
Open doors save lives —
The African Union believes easing access restrictions for travel within the continent will reduce then number of people embarking on dangerous migration routes.
MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
But critics argue that opening borders will help terror groups and organized crime.
Hidden costs? —
But critics argue that opening borders will help terror groups and organized crime.
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