Faith Nyasuguta
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to introduce new biometric passports as part of their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This development follows a series of military takeovers in all three nations, leading to the formation of a new Sahel alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The announcement was made by Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, on Sunday. He revealed that the new biometric passports would be rolled out in the coming days, aiming to harmonize travel documents within the AES and facilitate the mobility of their citizens globally. This move is seen as a significant step in solidifying their break from ECOWAS, a 15-member regional bloc that has been striving to retain them within its fold.
The journey towards this dramatic shift began in January when the three junta-led Sahel countries jointly declared their intention to withdraw from ECOWAS. Despite numerous international and regional efforts to persuade them to reconsider, the decision remained firm.
Earlier this month, Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, announced that the country would begin issuing new passports without the ECOWAS logo, further cementing their departure from the bloc.
Goita’s announcement came ahead of a crucial meeting on Monday between the foreign ministers of the three countries, marking the anniversary of their decision to form the AES. He also mentioned plans to launch a shared information channel to ensure “harmonious dissemination of information” across their states, highlighting the alliance’s commitment to unified communication and cooperation.
The economic implications of this move are significant. The combined economies of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger account for about 8% of ECOWAS’s gross domestic product. ECOWAS has expressed concerns that the withdrawal of these three nations could jeopardize the freedom of movement and the common market for the 400 million people residing in the 49-year-old bloc. The potential disruption to trade and mobility within the region is a cause for concern among member states.
The formation of the AES and the introduction of new biometric passports symbolize a shift towards greater autonomy and self-reliance for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This move is also seen as a response to the ongoing security challenges in the Sahel region, where insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have destabilized the area for over a decade.
The military leaders of these countries have cited the need for stronger regional cooperation to combat these threats as a key reason for their takeovers and subsequent alliance formation.
As the AES takes shape, the introduction of biometric passports is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative period for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
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