Burkina Faso has issued new biometric passports without the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — solidifying its decision to withdraw from the regional bloc.
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso severed ties with the 15-member body after sanctions were imposed on them in the wake of military coups.
ECOWAS said the countries have to return to constitutional order if they want the sanctions lifted.
All three countries have since accused the alliance of abandoning the spirit of pan-Africanism for selfish interests.
Although ECOWAS only issued a suspension, the countries have denounced plans to return.
Mahamadou Sana, Burkinabe security minister, announced the passport facelift on Tuesday.
“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 said.
Out of 198 passports globally, Burkina Faso’s ranks 78 with access to 60 visa-free destinations including ECOWAS member-countries, according to the Henley passport ranking.
ECOWAS said the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger would undermine the freedom of movement and common market of the 400 million people living within the 50-year-old bloc.
President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS chairman, and his team have been persuading the trio to reconsider their decision to exit.
Tinubu also said the bloc would remain friendly to the countries.
