The African passport will be a hard sell

The concept of a United State of Africa has gained traction after the African Union (AU) launched an African passport in July 2016. The goal is to have the document in circulation by 2020 to allow citizens of the 54 member states travel visa-free across Africa. PHOTO: COURTESY

The concept of a United State of Africa has gained traction after the African Union (AU) launched an African passport in July 2016. The goal is to have the document in circulation by 2020 to allow citizens of the 54 member states travel visa-free across Africa.

The notion of a single continental bloc was advanced by the late Libyan President Col. Muammar Gaddafi who even put substantial resources into it to woo African states into buying the proposed idea. Although largely driven by his own political ambitions, Gaddafi had a valid proposition of a united Africa.