Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will soon adopt new harmonized passports, the serving president of the confederation that groups the three countries has said. In a televised address on Sunday, September 15, Malian President Col Assimi Goïta said such a move would ensure the harmonization of travel documents within the confederation, enabling their citizens to move with ease around the world.
The new passports are part of the broader campaign to boost regional integration and cooperation in the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States – AES, established with the signing of the Liptako-Gourma Charter on 17th September 2023. This alliance, a mutual defense pact, marks an important step in which three nations forge out in solidarity and cooperation.
Although many details remain unknown-how much a new passport will cost and which countries the passport holders could travel to visa-free, for instance-the move demonstrates serious commitment to regional autonomy and identity. The new passports are bound to facilitate the travel of nationals of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, reportedly facilitating international movements and advancing economic and social exchanges.
Keep Reading
This announcement came on the eve of the first anniversary of the AES’s formation, emphasizing that the group wants to form a coherent regional bloc. Earlier this year, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, commonly known as ECOWAS, citing reasons of autonomy and a need to have full control over their regional affairs. Yet, President Goïta did not fail to reassure his audience that the countries of AES open up only for regional and sub-regional partnerships when acting out of respect for such principles as non-interference and sovereignty.
Looking ahead-as would the confederation-the new passport represents a concrete act toward its objective of increased regional integration and visibility at the international level.
