In a bold move signaling their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), three West African nations governed by military juntas—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—are set to launch a new biometric passport system in the coming days. This initiative is part of their broader plan to distance themselves from the regional bloc.
Following a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, the military leaders of these countries announced their intention to leave ECOWAS in January. The regional bloc had imposed sanctions on the juntas in an attempt to encourage a swift return to civilian governance. However, the trio, now known as the Alliance of Sahel States, has resisted these pressures, opting instead to strengthen their alliance.
In a televised address late Sunday, Malian junta leader Col. Assimi Goïta, who serves as the acting president of the Sahel alliance, unveiled the upcoming biometric passports. “In the coming days, we will introduce a new biometric passport for our alliance, aimed at standardizing travel documents within our region,” Col. Goïta stated. This announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Sahel alliance’s formation.
The new passports, which will not feature the ECOWAS logo, are expected to harmonize travel documentation among the member states. The impact on travel to other ECOWAS countries, where nationals previously enjoyed visa-free access with the regional passport, remains uncertain.
Col. Goïta also revealed plans to launch a joint service to facilitate a “harmonious dissemination of information” across the three nations. The move follows Burkina Faso’s earlier decision to issue a new biometric passport independently of ECOWAS.
In July, the junta leaders declared their definitive break from ECOWAS, aiming to forge a community of sovereign states grounded in African values and free from external influences. This declaration came amid ongoing efforts by ECOWAS to reintegrate the three countries and concerns about regional disintegration and heightened insecurity.
The Sahel region, plagued by jihadist violence for decades, has seen thousands killed and millions displaced. Despite the military takeovers being justified by the need to combat this insurgency, the violence persists. Additionally, the three nations have expelled French troops who were aiding in the fight against jihadist groups and have turned to Russia for military support.