Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three West African countries currently under military rule, are set to introduce a new biometric passport in the coming days as part of their move to break away from the regional bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). This development follows their formation of the Alliance of Sahel States after a series of coups between 2020 and 2023, in which military leaders assumed power. The new passport is designed to harmonize travel documents within their alliance.
The decision to issue the biometric passport without the ECOWAS logo is symbolic of their intent to distance themselves from the regional bloc, which had imposed sanctions on the juntas in a bid to restore civilian rule. Despite these sanctions, the leaders of these three countries remain committed to their alliance and have resisted calls to return to ECOWAS.
In a televised address, Malian junta leader Col. Assimi Goïta, who serves as acting president of the Sahel alliance, announced the upcoming release of the passport and highlighted plans for a joint service to promote “harmonious dissemination of information” across the three states.
The launch of the new passport raises questions about how it will impact travel for nationals of these countries, as ECOWAS previously allowed visa-free movement for citizens of its member states under a 15-nation regional passport.
ECOWAS has expressed concern over the creation of the breakaway alliance, warning that it could lead to regional disintegration and worsen insecurity in the region. The Sahel region has long struggled with jihadist violence, a major issue that the military leaders have cited as justification for their coups. However, the violence continues, and the military regimes have expelled French troops, instead seeking military assistance from Russia.