During the opening of the African Union Executive Council on June 28, President Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), referred to the issuance of the first diplomatic African Union passports in May 2007 as a symbolic gesture toward African citizenship. Civil society organisations (CSOs) attending the summit called for the AU to move beyond symbolism to action.
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
On Africa Liberation Day, May 25th, President Kuffuor and Chairperson Alpha Konare launched the African Union Diplomatic passport. The diplomatic passport was a compromise after member states failed to reach consensus on an African passport that would be accessible to all African citizens.
We, civil society organizations of Africa, have issued an African citizens passport to ensure freedom of movement throughout the Continent of all African citizens. The passport is a response to a growing demand by African citizens for an easing of restrictions on travel within Africa by African Governments as a pre-condition for African citizenship.
The African passport was launched on June 22nd at a Continental Conference organized by the AU Ghanaian Civil Society Coalition prior to the African Union Summit in Accra. The first African citizen passports was issued to the Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Nana Akuffo Addo, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Executive Council of the African Union, by a young African activist Ablavi Benjamine Agbodian. During the conference, she provided personalised passports to the Minister for himself and his family.
Download the Passport (Acrobat PDF file)
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
Filed under: Campaigns • AU Passport
To receive regular updates and information from AU-Monitor, please subscribe here.
This site has been established by Fahamu to enable African CSOs to engage constructively with the African Union (AU) and its organs in the interests of promoting justice, equity and accountability through the provision of high-quality and timely information. The logo is taken from the Adinkra symbol Hwe Mu Dua, or measuring stick, the symbol of examination and quality control.
Please visit the Calendar for civil society and AU meetings.