Burkina Faso has introduced a new biometric passport without the logo of the Economic Community of West African States, further solidifying its breakaway from the regional bloc.
The move comes after Burkina Faso, along with Niger and Mali, cut ties with ECOWAS following military coups in the three countries.
The decision to issue passports without the ECOWAS insignia was announced by Burkina Faso’s security minister, Mahamadou Sana, on Tuesday.
Sana stated, “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.”
The three nations severed relations with the 15-member bloc after ECOWAS imposed sanctions on them in the wake of military takeovers.
Although the organisation only issued a suspension, it has demanded that the countries return to constitutional order before sanctions are lifted.
However, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all denounced any plans to reintegrate, accusing ECOWAS of betraying the pan-African ideals for which it was founded.
Despite its departure, Burkina Faso’s passport remains relatively strong, ranked 78th globally and providing visa-free access to 60 destinations, including current ECOWAS member countries, according to the Henley Passport Index.
ECOWAS has raised concerns that the withdrawal of these nations could undermine the free movement of people and goods within its borders, impacting the bloc’s 400 million citizens.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who currently chairs ECOWAS, has been actively trying to persuade the three countries to reconsider their exit, emphasising that the organization remains open to maintaining friendly relations.