The Sahelian nations of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have announced plans to introduce a common biometric passport, aimed at enhancing the mobility of their citizens across the three states. The move, revealed by Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, is a step towards deepening ties following their collective departure from the regional bloc ECOWAS. The countries left ECOWAS due to claims that it is pro-Western and serves the interests of their former colonizer, France.

Goita emphasized that the biometric passport would simplify movement between the allied nations and highlighted ongoing efforts to build the necessary infrastructure to strengthen connectivity between them. Additionally, the countries are working on establishing a shared information channel to harmonize the dissemination of news and updates across their borders.

The announcement of the passport comes just ahead of the first anniversary of the alliance formed by the three Sahelian states, officially known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This collective decision marks a significant step in their quest to assert greater independence from Western influence, with the alliance now working closely with Russia, whose mercenaries are present in the region aiding in the fight against Islamist insurgents.