Summary
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to launch new biometric passports as part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), following their exit from the ECOWAS regional bloc. This move reflects their aim to assert sovereignty and improve travel facilitation for their citizens, amidst rising tensions with ECOWAS over perceived foreign interventions.

In a significant move after their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced the introduction of new biometric passports under the newly established Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This announcement was made by Mali’s transitional president, Colonel Assimi Goita, as part of a broader initiative to enhance sovereign control over their travel documentation and mobility policies.

The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) follows the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, an organization they accused of undermining their national sovereignty. Since their exit in January 2023, these nations have expressed their desire to distance themselves from perceived foreign interference, particularly from French influence, in their internal affairs. The ECOWAS bloc, which encompasses 15 countries and over 400 million people, had previously threatened military intervention in Niger after political turmoil, exacerbating tensions with these three countries.

The establishment of new biometric passports by the AES signifies a decisive step towards consolidating regional autonomy amid rising tensions with ECOWAS. The military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are committed to developing frameworks that support their decision to exit the regional bloc, emphasizing their ongoing struggle against foreign influence and internal instability. Their recent actions highlight a shift towards enhanced national identity and security within their borders.

Original Source: www.bignewsnetwork.com

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