Burkina Faso Drops ECOWAS Logo from New Passports, Solidifying Withdrawal from Regional Bloc

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
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Burkina Faso Drops ECOWAS Logo from New Passports, Solidifying Withdrawal from Regional Bloc
ECOWAS PASSPORT
Written By : Afua Amankwanowa

Burkina Faso has rolled out new biometric passports that exclude the logo of West Africa's main political and economic bloc, reinforcing its decision to withdraw from the regional alliance following a military coup. Together with Niger and Mali, Burkina Faso announced in January its intention to leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite the bloc's efforts to change their course.

Speaking at the launch, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana remarked, "This passport contains no ECOWAS logo or reference. Since January, Burkina Faso decided to leave this body, and this passport reflects that decision."



ECOWAS has cautioned that the withdrawal of these countries could jeopardize the free movement and common market among the bloc's 400 million citizens.

This development comes as the three nations continue to combat insurgencies by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which have destabilized the central Sahel region and now threaten coastal states. Following a wave of coups between 2020 and 2023, the three countries established the Alliance of Sahel States, a defense and cooperation pact, severing ties with Western powers and forging closer relations with Russia.

The new passport includes several enhancements, such as an electronic chip with greater data storage capacity and advanced security features. The passports will be produced by a Chinese company that won the nearly 20 billion FCFA contract through a direct agreement finalized in April 2024.

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