Burkina Faso has introduced new biometric passports that omit the logo of West Africa’s primary political and economic bloc, underscoring its intent to distance itself from the regional alliance after a military coup brought new leadership to power.
In January, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali—three neighboring nations now under military rule—jointly announced their decision to exit the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Despite ECOWAS’s efforts to persuade them to reconsider, these countries have remained firm in their stance.
At the passport launch on Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, confirmed the country’s decision: “This passport does not feature the ECOWAS logo, nor any mention of the organization. Since January, Burkina Faso has chosen to withdraw from this body, and this passport reflects that decision.”
ECOWAS has expressed concern that the withdrawal of these three countries could jeopardize the free movement of people and the common market that serves the 400 million residents within the 50-year-old bloc.
This move comes as the three nations continue to combat insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. These insurgencies have destabilized West Africa’s central Sahel region for the past decade and now pose a threat to the coastal states.
Since military takeovers between 2020 and 2023, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have established a three-way defense and cooperation agreement known as the Alliance of Sahel States. They have also severed longstanding military and diplomatic ties with Western nations, opting instead to forge closer relations with Russia.
