Burkina Faso Debuts Biometric Passports, Signals Split from ECOWAS

Burkina Faso has launched new biometric passports sans the logo of the West African bloc ECOWAS, highlighting its intent to leave the regional alliance. The move follows a January announcement that Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali would quit ECOWAS. The nations are forming their own pact amidst ongoing regional insurgencies.

Burkina Faso has unveiled new biometric passports devoid of the West African bloc ECOWAS's logo, signaling a firm stance on exiting the regional alliance. This passport rollout follows the military-led government's January proclamation of withdrawing from ECOWAS, a 15-member economic and political union.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed at a launch event that Burkina Faso has made a decisive move. '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 realisation of the action already taken,' he stated.

ECOWAS has raised concerns over this exit, arguing it threatens the unity, freedom of movement, and economic integration of the 400 million people within the bloc. Concurrently, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, plagued by al Qaeda and Islamic State insurgencies, have formed the Alliance of Sahel States and are seeking closer ties with Russia.

(With inputs from agencies.)