Burkina Faso’s new passport comes amid tensions between the bloc and other countries like Niger and Mali, which have also expressed intentions to sever ties with ECOWAS.
Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso has unveiled a new biometric passport that no longer features the logo or any reference to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a significant step in its withdrawal from the 15-member regional alliance.
The announcement was made by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana during a launch event on Tuesday.
“On this passport, there’s no ECOWAS logo, and no mention of ECOWAS either. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is just a realisation of the action already taken by Burkina Faso,” said Sana.
The decision follows a military coup that brought the current leadership to power, reinforcing the country’s determination to distance itself from ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s withdrawal comes amid tensions between the bloc and other countries like Niger and Mali, which have also expressed intentions to sever ties with ECOWAS.
ECOWAS has expressed concerns that the departure of these countries could have significant repercussions for the region, affecting the free movement of people and goods and undermining the integrity of the common market.
The bloc, which has been in existence for 50 years, has played a crucial role in fostering economic cooperation among its 400 million citizens.
This development also occurs at a time when Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali face increasing security challenges from insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, further complicating the political landscape in the region.
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