Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger plan to introduce a new biometric passport in the coming days as they complete their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), according to officials.
The three countries, which formed the Alliance of Sahel States earlier this year, announced their departure from ECOWAS in January. The alliance seeks to strengthen military cooperation among its members.
Leaders of the alliance have criticized Western nations, particularly France, for their role in regional instability and economic involvement in their countries. The three nations have expelled French troops, who were previously deployed as part of an anti-jihadist mission.
“In the coming days, a new biometric passport for the alliance will be issued to harmonize travel documents in our shared region,” Malian leader Col. Assimi Goïta said in a televised address late Sunday.
Goïta, acting president of the alliance, also announced plans to establish a joint media service to promote “harmonious dissemination of information” across the three states.
The alliance has stated its aim to build a community of sovereign nations rooted in African values, independent of foreign influence.
