Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to get biometric passports under new alliance
- In Reports
- 03:04 PM, Sep 17, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) saw the leaders from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announce new biometric passports in Bamako, Mali on September 15. This move was made after they decided to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) due to the military takeovers in their countries. The idea behind the new biometric passports was that the travelling documents would be standardised, and travelling between these states would become easier since it has opted out of ECOWAS rules.
“In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonising travel documents in our common area,” declared Mali’s leader Assimi Goita. According to Reuters, he also emphasised the alliance’s goals of creating shared information platforms. “We are planning to launch a shared information channel in order to promote a harmonious dissemination of information in our three states.” Amidst all of this, ECOWAS issued a warning, stating that the withdrawal of these nations might "undermine the freedom of movement and common market" for the 400 million people living in the region. To mark the start of this change, Burkina Faso has already issued its first passports without the ECOWAS logo.
The Sahel states' decision to withdraw from ECOWAS proves a divergence between military-led governments and the board part of West Africa. The three consider that the step will increase their independence and regional coordination. Meanwhile, opponents feel it may deepen their isolation with its effect on economic partnership and cooperation on counter-terrorism. For their part, from the view of ECOWAS, removal as a grave threat to the unity of the body is supplemented by worrying calls about the future of democracy and governance in these countries since their current leaders rose to power by coup.
This evolution has its roots in the military takeovers that occurred in 2020 in Mali, 2022 in Burkina Faso, and 2023 in Niger. The new governments in these countries are not content with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) due to its sanctions and measures to reinstate civilian rule. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger came together to form the Sahel alliance in January of this year. The military leaders hope that this alliance will draw attention to what they see as outside meddling. In the meantime, insurgency remains visible on a security spectrum throughout the region, with groups affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
In order to prevent further fragmentation and address common threats such as terrorism, communication between the Sahel alliance and ECOWAS is crucial for achieving sustainable peace. To maintain stability and peace over the long run, cooperation security and sovereignty must coexist in harmony.
Image source: RFI
Comments