The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is set to launch a shared biometric passport.
The move, announced by Col. Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali’s junta and chair of the AES, aims to facilitate the movement of citizens across the three countries and strengthen regional cooperation.
The introduction of the common passport comes a year after the formation of the AES by the military leaders of these nations.
It is part of their broader efforts to address the security challenges posed by terrorist groups in the Sahel region.
The AES was established in response to the growing instability caused by militant groups in the three countries.
The alliance has already formed a joint military force to combat these threats and has withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In addition to the common passport, the AES plans to launch a joint television station as part of its efforts to enhance regional integration and cooperation.
