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Burkina Faso has introduced a new biometric passport without the logo of the Economic Community of West African States, further solidifying its break from the regional bloc.
The move comes after Burkina Faso, along with Niger and Mali, severed 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, “This passport does not feature the ECOWAS logo or any mention of ECOWAS. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is simply a realisation of the action already taken by Burkina Faso.”
The three nations severed relations with the 15-member bloc after ECOWAS imposed sanctions in response to the military takeovers.
The organisation has only suspended the countries, but it has required them to restore constitutional order before the sanctions are lifted. However, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all refused any plans for reintegration, accusing ECOWAS of betraying the pan-African principles it was founded upon.
Despite Burkina Faso's withdrawal, its 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 expressed 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 organisation remains open to maintaining friendly relations.
