Burkina Faso has unveiled a new biometric passport that omits the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) logo, marking a further step in its departure from the regional bloc.
This development follows Burkina Faso’s, Niger’s, and Mali’s severance of ties with ECOWAS after recent military coups in these countries. Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, announced the change on Tuesday, stating, “This passport does not include the ECOWAS logo or any reference to ECOWAS. Since January, Burkina Faso has withdrawn from this organisation, and this is a reflection of that decision.”
The three nations cut relations with the 15-member bloc after ECOWAS imposed sanctions in response to the military takeovers. The organisation had only suspended these countries but has insisted on a return to constitutional order before lifting the sanctions.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have rejected any plans for reintegration, accusing ECOWAS of betraying its pan-African principles. Despite this, Burkina Faso’s passport retains significant value, ranking 78th globally and granting visa-free access to 60 destinations, including current ECOWAS member states, according to the Henley Passport Index.
ECOWAS has voiced concerns that the exit of these nations could disrupt the free movement of people and goods within the region, affecting its 400 million citizens. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who chairs ECOWAS, has been actively seeking to persuade the three countries to reconsider their departure, highlighting that the organisation remains open to maintaining amicable relations.
