Sahel Nations Introduce New Biometric Passports Amid ECOWAS Exit

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to introduce new biometric passports as they withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form a Sahel alliance. The initiative aims to harmonize travel documents and enhance citizen mobility. ECOWAS warns that the move may undermine regional unity.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will introduce new biometric passports as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance, according to Mali's leader on Sunday.

The three junta-led Sahel neighbors jointly announced in January that they would leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has sought to persuade them to reconsider their decision. Burkina Faso announced earlier this month it was rolling out passports without the ECOWAS logo. "In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation to harmonize travel documents in our common area and facilitate the mobility of our citizens worldwide," announced Malian junta leader Assimi Goita on Sunday evening.

He spoke ahead of a Monday meeting between the three countries' foreign ministers on the anniversary of their alliance decision. Goita also revealed plans for a shared information channel to promote harmonious information dissemination across their states.

ECOWAS has warned that the three countries' withdrawal could undermine the freedom of movement and common market shared by 400 million people in the 49-year-old bloc. Their exit coincides with battles against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked groups that have destabilized the region over the past decade.

(With inputs from agencies.)