ECOWAS react as Alliance of Sahel States launch common biometric passport

By KEMI KASUMU with Agencies

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says the exit of three countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from its bloc membership has taken effect from Wednesday January 29, 2025.

One year ago Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali, and Republic of Niger announced their exit from the subregion.

ECOWAS, in its announcement, said it would continue to keep its doors open to the three exited countries, which have now formed their own bloc called ‘Alliance of Sahel States’, in the spirit of regional solidarity.

But the move by the Sahel State countries to launch their own common passport mean has dashed the hope of ECOWAS for a rethink and return to the former bloc.

The bloc urged authorities within and outside ECOWAS member states to continue to recognise National passports and identity cards carrying ECOWAS logo for citizens of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger until further notice.

It also wanted then to treat goods and services from the three countries in line with ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy.

Allow citizens of the three countries affected the right of visa free movement, residence and establishment in line with the ECOWAS protocols till further notice, it urged ECOWAS members.

It then, as a last line of advice, asked authorities to provide full support and cooperation to ECOWAS officials from the three countries while carrying out their assignments until further notice.

ECOWAS further said arrangements would be in place until leaders of the union fully determine how future engagements with the three countries will be.

The ECOWAS Commission said structure had been on ground to talk about the things would now be with the three exited countries.

This arrangement, according to the Commission, is key to avoid confusion and disturbance of lives and businesses of people during the transition period.

AES launch own passport effective January 29, 2025

In the meantime, the three countries have gone ahead to form one Sahel state called, Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The DEFENDER reports that as the military-led Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have now officially quitted the West Africa regional bloc on Wednesday, their plan now is to issue new common travel passport that tallies with their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

The military leaders, now under the platform of the Alliance of Sahel State (AES), said the move is part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between Member States.

According to reports, the new passport is expected to become functional from Wednesday 29 January and will replace the ECOWAS passport the citizens of the three countries have.

The Sahel authorities are encouraging their people to register for the new passport, although they added that the ECOWAS passports still with their people will remain valid until the date of their expiration.

On Tuesday 28 January, hundreds of pro-juntas’ demonstrators in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger staged a rally as they entered streets to indicate their support for the decision to quit the ECOWAS regional bloc.

In Niger, thousands of people led by military men gathered around a square in the capital Niamey.

Three West African countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – which are all currently running junta-led governments had earlier announced the launch of the common biometric passport.

According to an announcement posted on X last Thursday, the three nations grouped under the banner of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) are launching the passport after dumping that of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional grouping of 15 West African counties.

The launch of the new passport is planned to coincide with the date the three countries will definitively quit the ECOWAS bloc. They had signalled their intention to terminate their membership of ECOWAS in January last year when the bloc suspended them following the military coups.

In December 2024, ECOWAS leaders said the door was still open for the trio to have a rethink of their decision to quit. But the move to launch their own common passport means any backpedalling is unlikely.

“As part of the implementation of its roadmap, particularly regarding aspects related to the free movement of citizens, the President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) informs the confederal and international public of the introduction of AES passports, effective from January 29, 2025,” the announcement, signed by Lt Gen Assimi Goita, transitional leader of Mali and Chairman of AES, reads.

After the launch of the new passports, Goita says the old passports will remain valid until their expiration date.

“Nevertheless, citizens of the AES Confederation holding old passports bearing the ECOWAS logo that are still valid may have them replaced with the new AES passports in accordance with the applicable regulations,” he said.

“At the same time, the President of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) assures the populations of the confederation that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the effectiveness of the free movement of people and goods.”

The Sahel leaders say the move is part of efforts to reinforce cooperation among the three members states and allow AES citizens to travel more easily within the confederation.

They have also emphasized that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the effectiveness of free movement of people and goods, a move they say represents an important step in the development of the AES and demonstrates the member states’ commitment to promoting regional integration and useful exchanges among their citizens.

The announcement of their intention to create a common passport was made in September last year, just a week after Burkina Faso had unveiled its own national passport provided by Chinese company Emptech which has been seeking a foothold in the African identity documents market.

A source who asked for anonymity said Emptech is not involved in the production of the new passport for the three Sahel states. “Actually, Emptech is only supplying the Burkina Faso passport. Nothing related to Niger and Mali,” the source told Biometric Update.

Meanwhile, beyond the passport aspect, the decision by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to quit ECOWAS has also been seen as a setback for efforts to advance a regional ID project supported by the World Bank to facilitate socio-economic growth and integration in West Africa.

The West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) project was designed to support the issuance of foundational IDs in six ECOWAS countries, namely Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, to promote regional movement, foster lucrative trade and economic growth.