West African countries may switch to a common passport system: Alliance of Sahel States announces
Three West African countries have announced plans to switch to a common passport system.
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The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), consisting of the West African countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has announced that it will implement a common passport system to increase 'cooperation' and 'ensure security' between their countries.
AES President and leader of the transitional government in Mali, Assimi Goita, stated in a television interview on the first anniversary of the AES's founding that they would launch a common 'biometric passport application' to facilitate movement between the three countries.
Noting that they have achieved significant gains against terrorist groups in the region, Goita stated that the AES is open to discussions with regional partners as well as international partners.
Goita said, 'Cooperation between the three countries has helped to significantly weaken terrorist groups while also contributing to increased security in the region.'
Assimi Goita also announced that the AES would establish a joint television channel.
THEY HAD WITHDRAWN FROM ECOWAS
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso decided to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last year and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The three countries held their first summit in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on July 6. At the summit, a joint declaration was signed envisioning the establishment of a "Confederation of Sahel States" consisting of the 3 countries, and Malian President Assimi Goita was elected as the term president of the AES for 1 year.