Burkina Faso: Enrolment for AES passports, President Ibrahim TRAORE sets an example
As announced, the new biometric passports of the Confederation of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) were officially rolled out on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in the three member countries, marking a complete break from ECOWAS. In Burkina Faso, President Ibrahim TRAORE set the tone for the start of the enrollment operation for the issuance of the new passports to the population.
His passport was handed to him just minutes after completing the formalities by the Minister of Security, Police Divisional Commissioner Mahamadou SANA, setting an example for his fellow citizens. The Prime Minister and head of government, Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, also received his passport the same day from the Minister of Security.
It is important to note that this new passport, which does not feature the ECOWAS emblem, is a joint document for the three AES member states. It is an essential document that can facilitate the integration of the peoples through the free movement of persons and goods within the AES area. This document, which reflects the shared will of the AES leaders to strengthen their cooperation outside of ECOWAS, was designed after consultations and approval by the three countries.
According to information, the previous passport bearing the ECOWAS logo remains valid until its expiration date, and citizens of the AES area are encouraged to replace it with the new AES passport if they wish, in accordance with the applicable regulations.
