Burkina Faso has officially introduced new biometric passports that no longer carry the emblem of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The move signals the country’s formal withdrawal from the 15-member regional organisation, following sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger due to military coups in the respective nations.
Burkina Faso’s security minister, Mahamadou Sana, announced the updated passport design on Tuesday, underscoring the country’s decision to sever ties with ECOWAS. “On this passport, there’s no ECOWAS logo, and no mention of ECOWAS either. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is just a realisation of the action already taken by Burkina Faso,” Sana stated.
The omission of the ECOWAS insignia reflects a deeper political shift in Burkina Faso, which, alongside Mali and Niger, has rejected the bloc’s stance following the coups. Although ECOWAS imposed sanctions and suspended these nations, they have refused to rejoin, accusing the bloc of prioritising individual interests over true pan-African unity.
ECOWAS, under the leadership of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been pressing these countries to restore constitutional governance. Tinubu has repeatedly called for dialogue, assuring that the organisation is open to maintaining a cooperative relationship. However, the three nations remain steadfast in their opposition to the bloc’s policies, labelling them divisive and contrary to regional interests.
Despite Burkina Faso’s exit, its passport maintains a global rank of 78th, allowing visa-free access to 60 destinations, including ECOWAS member states, according to the Henley Passport Index. However, the withdrawal from ECOWAS may complicate the free movement of people and goods, impacting the 400 million residents across the bloc’s member countries.
ECOWAS has expressed concerns that the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger threatens to weaken the core principles of regional integration that have sustained the organisation for five decades. As these nations stand firm against the bloc’s pressure, the future of cooperation within West Africa remains uncertain.
