It is now official: the passports of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), issued at the end of January 2025 by Mali, are recognized within the Schengen Area. This confirmation, provided by several European embassies, represents both a symbolic and strategic step in the ongoing effort by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to build an autonomous political and institutional space.
This decision confirms the increasing legitimacy of the AES on the international stage. Despite attempts at marginalization and diplomatic pressure, the Sahel States are steadily asserting their sovereign vision, embracing a break from former colonial influences and working together to build shared institutions that serve their people. The AES passport, beyond its administrative function, has become a symbol of independence and empowerment.
Recognition within the Schengen Area also sends a powerful message to the Sahelian diasporas, who often face bureaucratic discrimination. Citizens of AES countries now hold a common, internationally recognized document that facilitates their movement and reinforces the unity of the three nations beyond their borders.
This diplomatic achievement is the result of determined and consistent efforts by Heads of State Assimi Goïta, Ibrahim Traoré, and Abdourahamane Tiani. Their shared vision for political, security, and institutional integration in the Sahel is steadily becoming a reality, despite the skepticism of former Western partners.
