The First African Passport Has Been Launched But People Have Mixed Reactions

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Finally, we can all now get a red passport!

For the record, it’s a pan-African passport which was launched on July 17 during the 27th African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

However, the first recipients of this passport were Idriss Deby, who is the Chairperson of the African Union and President of Chad, and Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.

The passport was launched in an effort to promote opening of borders and more efficient trans-African relations.

[Photos] #Africanpassport and the 5 language inscriptions on it #AUKigali2016 #AfricanUnion https://t.co/dFJjHmiL5X pic.twitter.com/tAICUUOaaZ

— africanews (@africanews) July 17, 2016

According to officials of the AU, the passport will be available in 5 languages including French, English and Swahili and will also have high security features.

By 2018, the passport will be available to citizens of the 54 member-countries of the African Union except Morocco, which left the Union in 1984.

Some Africans couldn’t be more thrilled at this development.

I so agree with this . Can't wait to have my own #africanpassport #africarising https://t.co/eYHfK55Ufw

— Victorine Sarr Awuah ⭐️ (@vimavie) July 17, 2016

And can’t wait to start travelling across Africa.

1st place to visit with my #AfricanPassport (if i ever get one): Abidjan 😍

— Zaaa (@AgaSimbi) July 18, 2016

Some others believe this passport only confirms a certain stereotype – although this is highly illogical.

If #AU starts issuing #AfricanPassport, does that mean people who referred to #Africa as a country were right all along?

— Alain Shema (@ShemaAlain) July 18, 2016

Africa certainly has more things to worry about than a general passport.

So #African people are starving & in deep poverty , our presidents met and HAIL them they have given us an #AfricanPassport 😠😤😳 #Priorities

— Liberty LK Kazhanje (@lkazhanje) July 18, 2016

The passport should be made readily available for citizens.

Dear @_AfricanUnion, we need the #AfricanPassport for people not heads of states and diplomats only, who anyways more freely!

— Soor (@Soor88) July 18, 2016

There are no details about the registration process for this passport. However, we hope it makes travelling across Africa more convenient.