By John Ikani
Burkina Faso has introduced new biometric passports without the emblem of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), underscoring its resolve to leave the regional alliance following a military coup.
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, all currently under military rule, declared their intention to exit the 15-nation ECOWAS in January. The bloc has been trying to convince them to change their minds.
“This passport bears no ECOWAS logo or any reference to ECOWAS. Burkina Faso made the decision to withdraw from this organization in January, and this is simply putting that decision into action,” Security Minister Mahamadou Sana stated at the launch on Tuesday.
ECOWAS has cautioned that the withdrawal of these three countries could jeopardize the free movement and common market enjoyed by the 400 million people within the 50-year-old bloc.
Their departure coincides with their militaries battling Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated groups. These insurgencies have destabilized the central Sahel region of West Africa for the past decade and pose a threat to coastal states.
Since their militaries staged coups between 2020 and 2023, these three nations have established a tripartite defence and cooperation agreement known as the Alliance of Sahel States. They have also cut ties with Western powers, seeking closer relations with Russia.
