Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Launch Common Passport in New Sahel alliance
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will implement a common passport through their Confederation of Sahel States (AES) on January 29, a year after withdrawing from ECOWAS. The military-led administrations aim to boost cooperation and combat terrorism, while existing ECOWAS passports will remain valid until expiration and can be exchanged. The AES is also forming a military force to tackle regional insurgencies.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have collaborated to establish a common passport under their newly formed Confederation of Sahel States (AES). Set to take effect on January 29, this significant development follows the nations’ recent departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where they cited inadequate support in combating terrorism and expressed concerns regarding French influence.
The three nations, which have all undergone military coups between 2020 and 2023, officially announced their exit from ECOWAS a year ago due to perceived allegiance of the organization to France, the historical colonial power in the region. On the specified date, Malian military leader and AES president, General Assimi Goïta, underscored that passports will be issued starting January 29.
Existing ECOWAS passports will remain valid until their expiration date, and citizens of the AES will have the option to exchange their current ECOWAS passports for the new AES versions. Additionally, the AES is in the process of assembling a 5,000-member force intended to address the ongoing insurgency challenges that plague the region.
Since the military takeovers, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have pivoted away from their French alliances, seeking closer political and military ties with Russia and other alternative partners. The introduction of the AES passport raises questions regarding future visa requirements for AES citizens traveling within the ECOWAS region post-January 2025.
The establishment of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) follows a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023, instigating the need for a unified front against terrorism and regional instability. The AES aims to foster cooperation among these nations, particularly in light of their dissatisfaction with ECOWAS’s response to their security concerns and ties with France, thereby seeking a new direction in international alliances and domestic governance.
The introduction of a common passport by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger under the AES marks a significant step towards enhanced regional cooperation in addressing mutual challenges. As these nations shift their allegiances away from traditional powers like France, they seek to establish a more independent and robust framework for security and governance. The implications for travel and security in the region continue to unfold as new policies are implemented.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
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