AU Launches Single Passport For African Countries

The long-awaited African Union (AU) passport has been launched at the opening ceremony of the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, which took place on Sunday July 17, 2016.

The passport was presented to the Chairperson of the union, President Idriss Deby of Chad and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda by the AU Commissions chairperson, Dr. Dlamini Zuma.

Zuma in her address described the new passport as a landmark achievement of the commission. She said: "Wee see hope in the resilience of our people and the strides of countries towards eradicating poverty and transforming our economy."

"We see hope in the ever-changing landscapes of our cities and towns, as we steadily build roads, increase access to energy, ICT, water and sanitation and build schools, clinics and sport fields.

"We have hope, because the continent's political and business leadership are ready to act to make African industrialisation a reality in our lifetime, so that our people benefit from their natural and mineral resources."
She further added that a better Africa would only be achieved where peace and security reigned.

"As AU we have made the pledge not to bequeath violent conflicts, wars and genocide to future generations of Africans.

"That pledge demands our attention." she concluded.

President Deby while declaring the session open stated that the retreats of the heads of states produced immeasurable results.

The Assembly is made up of heads of states and governments of the 54 member states of the AU.