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HomeNews from Around AfricaECOWAS responds as alliance of Sahel States unveils new passport

ECOWAS responds as alliance of Sahel States unveils new passport

By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced that the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc officially took effect on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
One year ago, the three Sahel nations declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS, and now they have taken a further step by introducing a common passport under the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS).
ECOWAS, however, noted that it remains open to dialogue “for the spirit of regional solidarity.”
Despite the introduction of the new passport, ECOWAS has urged authorities within and outside its member states to continue recognizing the ECOWAS-branded national passports and identity cards of citizens from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The bloc also called for the continuation of visa-free movement, residency, and trade benefits for these countries “until further notice.”
The new Sahel passport is expected to become operational from January 29, replacing the ECOWAS passport for citizens of the three countries.
However, authorities in the Sahel states have assured that existing ECOWAS passports will remain valid until their expiration dates.On January 28, hundreds of pro-junta demonstrators in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger took to the streets to express support for their governments’ decision to leave ECOWAS.

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