Faith Nyasuguta
Burkina Faso has unveiled new biometric passports that notably omit the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a clear departure from the 15-member regional bloc.
This passport redesign symbolizes the country’s formal withdrawal from ECOWAS following sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali after military coups in all three nations.
Announcing the updated passports this weeks, Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, emphasized the significance of the change: “On this passport, there’s no ECOWAS logo, and no mention of ECOWAS either. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is just a realization of the action already taken.”
The decision to remove the ECOWAS emblem reflects a broader disapproval of the bloc’s stance and actions, particularly its response to recent political upheavals in the region.
The move by Burkina Faso comes amid mounting tensions between the three nations and ECOWAS. In the wake of military takeovers, ECOWAS imposed sanctions and demanded a return to constitutional order, but Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have refused to yield to the pressure.
The three countries have condemned ECOWAS’s actions, accusing the organization of abandoning its foundational principles of pan-Africanism in favor of what they see as narrow, self-serving interests.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs ECOWAS, has been leading efforts to urge these countries to reconsider their decision to leave. Tinubu has emphasized a friendly and diplomatic approach, reassuring them that the bloc remains open to dialogue and cooperation. However, the unwavering stance of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger suggests a deepening rift within the West African region.
The new passports rank Burkina Faso 78th globally, providing access to 60 visa-free destinations, including ECOWAS member countries, according to the Henley Passport Index. Yet, this departure from ECOWAS could complicate the freedom of movement and disrupt the common market that benefits over 400 million people living within the bloc.
ECOWAS has warned that the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger poses a serious threat to regional integration, which has been a cornerstone of the organization for over 50 years. The group fears that the exit of these three nations could unravel decades of economic and political cooperation and undermine collective efforts to foster peace, stability, and development in West Africa.
The situation remains tense as all eyes turn to future negotiations that will determine whether these countries can find common ground with ECOWAS or continue on their path of separation, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the region.
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