The Sahel States’ Alliance is set to introduce biometric passports for Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, effective January 29, 2025, as part of its separation from ECOWAS. Expired passports will remain valid until their expiration dates and can be exchanged for new documents. This initiative aims to simplify travel and standardize documentation within the AES region, despite concerns about its impact on regional stability.

The Sahel States’ Alliance plans to implement biometric passports for member countries, namely Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with an anticipated start date of January 29, 2025. This initiative is part of the AES’s strategy to distance itself from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Existing passports that have expired will remain valid until their expiration dates and may be exchanged for new documents displaying “AES” instead of “ECOWAS.”

Interim President of Mali and AES Chairman, Assimi Goïta, announced that the introduction of biometric passports aims to facilitate travel within the AES region, commencing on the aforementioned date. The AES, established after these nations announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS in January 2024, intends to standardize travel documentation for its citizens.

Despite comprising about 8% of ECOWAS GDP, the departure of the three Sahelian nations has raised concerns regarding the potential impact on the freedom of movement and shared market within the 49-year-old bloc. Members of ECOWAS previously warned that the formation of the AES confederation could lead to regional fragmentation and increased instability, as these countries are currently governed by military administrations following recent coups.

In summary, the AES is progressing towards the release of biometric passports designed to ease travel among Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso while marking their separation from ECOWAS. This move has been met with concern from ECOWAS regarding its implications for regional stability and market dynamics.

The Sahel States’ Alliance comprises Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, countries that have recently distanced themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Following military coups in these nations, the alliance aims to enhance regional mobility and cohesion among its members through the introduction of biometric passports. This initiative has provoked reactions from ECOWAS, which is concerned about the potential fragmentation and instability in the region that may arise from this divergence.

The forthcoming implementation of biometric passports within the Sahel States’ Alliance represents a significant step toward facilitating movement among its member nations while signifying their separation from ECOWAS. This change could have broader implications for regional connectivity and market dynamics, reflecting the ongoing struggles of these countries amidst political transitions and military governance.

Original Source: africa.businessinsider.com

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