In a historic development,
Burkina Faso has officially introduced the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) biometric passport, marking a notable shift in the region’s travel dynamics. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s interim president, became the first recipient of this new travel document on January 31, 2025.
This development comes in the wake of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a move finalized on January 29, 2025.
The AES passport is designed to facilitate smoother movement among member states and promote regional integration. The initiative aims to standardize travel documents within the AES bloc, which is essential for enhancing trade and mobility among its citizens.
Minister of Security Mahamoudou Sana presided over the issuance ceremony, accenting the government‘s commitment to improving travel conditions for its citizens.
As part of this transition, Burkinabe citizens are encouraged to replace their existing passports with the new AES document. The old ECOWAS passports will remain valid until their expiration dates.
This change is expected to foster greater connectivity and economic collaboration among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, as residents express optimism about the potential benefits of the AES passport.
Local sentiments shows a mix of hope and caution regarding this new travel document. Many citizens believe that the AES passport will help combat negative perceptions about their countries while enhancing intra-regional trade.
Cheik Diallo, a graphic designer from Ouagadougou, emphasized that traveling with the new passport could counteract misinformation about the AES alliance.
Despite these positive outlooks, concerns linger about potential challenges related to customs fees and broader relations with ECOWAS member states. Edem Ahebla, a journalist in Ouagadougou, pointed out that high costs associated with cross-border travel remain a great issue.Â
Citizens hope that the introduction of a common passport will lead to reduced fees and easier access to neighboring countries.
In conjunction with the launch of the AES passport, discussions are underway to establish a common visa policy for member states. This initiative aims to further ease travel restrictions and enhance economic cooperation within the region.Â