Will an African passport fly? Or should we take several regional hops first?

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

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 and ego, Gaddafi had a valid proposition of a united Africa to which the AU now seems to be receptive.

While there are both pros and cons, the quest for one passport for Africans is a welcome move. There are numerous benefits to be derived from a united Africa that would outweigh those of a divided continent.

If this becomes a reality and enables citizens of the 54 member states to travel with ease across Africa, it will spur growth by encouraging Africa to trade with itself.

A more integrated Africa would empower us to better negotiate for our rightful place in the global arena, perhaps starting with a permanent seat at the UN Security Council or a greater role in global trade institutions such as the World Trade Organisation. Indeed, few global forums could afford to ignore a united Africa.

The question however is, how practical is this AU passport for a continent as big and diverse as Africa?

Africa has well developed states like South Africa; unstable states like Somalia and countries undergoing civil strife like South Sudan. There are all manner of political leadership systems ranging from democracies to autocracies, monarchies and military regimes. This effectively means that coming up with common regulations may prove a tall order.

It is important to note that the value of the passport is not the booklet but rather the weight, recognition and integrity of the process it carries. 

Further, immigration has emerged as a major political concern for many countries regardless of their level of development.

In fact, any candidate seeking political office in America and Europe, must have a comprehensive plan on immigration controls. Brexit was about immigration more than any other issue. This is because immigration is linked to transnational crimes like terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking and so on.

The levels of unemployment globally have also made various countries home to many economic migrants who then demand immigration reforms.  On our own continent, the issue of xenophobia in South Africa simmers on.

Currently, there are only 13 countries in Africa that are open to all Africans visa-free and only one regional bloc, the Economic Community of West Africa States (Ecowas), has a fully functional regional passport.

The East African Community has an East African passport that is mainly used by Kenyans, Ugandans and Tanzanians but is rarely used by Rwandans and Burundians.

Despite this, an e-passport has recently been launched in the region. The e-passport is expected to replace the national passports of the partner states by 2018. It will then be interesting to see the nexus between the EAC and AU passport by the year 2020.

Even with these developments, the EAC member states still display elements of distrust of citizens of partner states, particularly on work authorisation, right of settlement and land ownership. Indeed, across the continent, it is seemingly easier for non-Africans to get a visa or work permit than it is for Africans.

It is therefore my considered opinion that whereas the idea of a united Africa where visa requirements are eliminated is noble, the reality is that this will take a considerable period to be realised.

It will require major concessions from each country and the inescapable reality is issues of transnational crimes and corruption will complicate the process.

All countries need to ensure that systemic weaknesses in any of the 54 countries do not give the wrong individuals a passport to traverse Africa wreaking havoc through terrorism, drugs or arms trafficking.

This however, should not kill the dream; we should all advocate for a meticulous and inclusive process on the best way possible to have a United State of Africa. Perhaps a starting point would be to ensure that we perfect the regional passports and build them up to the continental document. 

George M. Mucee is an immigration consultant and practice leader at Fragomen Kenya Ltd.