AES Biometric Passport to Strengthen Sense of Belonging to Common Entity, Burkinabe Politician Says
17:13 26.11.2024 (Updated: 17:22 26.11.2024)
© SputnikGeneral Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger (center), Colonel Assimi Goïta of Mali (left) and Captain Ibrahim Traoré (right) of Burkina Faso at the 1st Summit of Leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), July 6, 2024.
© Sputnik
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Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in late January, citing the bloc's inability to effectively address the threat of terrorism. Later, the three African countries created a confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States.
The Alliance of Sahel States biometric passport will strengthen the sense of belonging to a common entity, Iba Karim, a former Burkinabe lawmaker, told Sputnik Africa.
"These standardized documents could simplify customs formalities and reduce border control formalities, promoting increased mobility of citizens and goods. This would also strengthen intra-confederal trade," Karim said.
Vice President of the Bloc for the Recovery and Development of Mali Agali Welé told Sputnik Africa that the initiative is a "breakaway from ECOWAS." He noted that this decision shows the willingness of the authorities of the Sahel countries to take responsibility for geopolitical changes.