Washington Becomes An African Citizen

The actor was born in Houston, Texas, but has spent several months working with Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma in a bid to secure dual-nationality and celebrate his family's links to the African country.

President Koroma agreed to grant Washington full citizenship and hand him an official Sierra Leone passport in September (08).

The process has now been finalised and Washington is delighted to have achieved his goal.

He says in a statement to PerezHilton.com, "(I am) completely numb yet elated. I am at a lost (sic) for words. I am now a citizen of Sierra Leone. I need to send two photos for the Sierra Leone Passport that awaits me in Freetown. President Koroma now goes down in history as the 'first' African President to issue an African-American full citizenship based on DNA. Congrats to all who have been on this historical journey with me. Mission Accomplished. That said, I'm so moved right now that I am literally wiped out with the gravity of this new reality. Going home to celebrate with my 'dual citizenship' with my family."