Sahel States. Three countries, one passport

Monday 25th November 2024 05:36 AM

The ministers responsible for security from these three countries met on Friday in Bamako to discuss this initiative, indicates a joint press release published on social networks.

“The meeting aimed to validate the harmonized ethnic specifications of travel and identity documents (passport and national identity card) in order to promote the free movement of people and goods in a dynamic of further integration,” specifies the document, recalling that this meeting follows a previous meeting between experts, held in Bamako on October 2 and 3.

“The ministers recalled the need to take concrete actions to facilitate the free movement of people and goods in the AES area,” adds the same source, noting that “harmonized” travel and identity documents will be submitted to the heads of state” for their approval.

In September 2023, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, to protest against ECOWAS sanctions against these three countries, decided to leave the sub-regional organization to set up their own entity. They announced the creation of a Confederation of Sahel States on July 6, 2024 in Niamey, on the occasion of the first summit of the tripartite alliance.

With Faapa