Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has announced that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are preparing to introduce new biometric passports as part of efforts to strengthen their alliance.
The move comes as the three Sahel nations, governed by military juntas, work to deepen their collaboration after breaking away from the Economic Community of West African States and gravitating toward Russia.
In a televised address, Goita revealed, “In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonising travel documents in our common area.”
This passport is seen as a step toward creating a cohesive identity among the nations, reflecting their growing independence from Western influence.
The alliance has established the Confederation of Sahel States, which aims to foster closer cooperation across several sectors, including security and economic development.
Goita also outlined plans to improve infrastructure and connectivity between the countries, highlighting the importance of modernising transportation, communications, and information technology.
“We will be working to put in place the infrastructure needed to strengthen the connectivity of our territories through transport, communications networks and information technology.”
The announcement comes ahead of the one-year anniversary of the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States and amid an ongoing struggle against jihadist violence in the region.
