Burkina Faso has officially removed the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from its new biometric passports, marking a significant step in the country’s withdrawal from the 15-member regional organization.
This decision comes after Burkina Faso, alongside Niger and Mali, chose to cut ties with ECOWAS following sanctions imposed on them in response to military coups within their borders.
ECOWAS has consistently demanded a return to constitutional order in these nations as a prerequisite for lifting the sanctions.
However, Burkina Faso’s latest move signals a further deepening of its estrangement from the regional body.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, confirmed the removal of the ECOWAS logo from the nation’s passports.
He stated, “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 realization of the action already taken by Burkina Faso.”
This decision by Burkina Faso, along with similar actions by Mali and Niger, highlights a growing discontent with ECOWAS.
The three nations have accused the bloc of prioritizing its own interests over the principles of pan-Africanism.
They view the sanctions and demands for constitutional restoration as driven more by political agendas than the well-being of the region’s people.
ECOWAS, however, has expressed concerns that the withdrawal of these countries could have adverse effects on the region’s common market and the freedom of movement for the 400 million people living within its member states.
Despite these tensions, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who currently serves as the ECOWAS chairman, has stressed the importance of diplomacy.
Tinubu and his team continue to seek ways to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali into the organization, emphasizing that the bloc remains open and welcoming to dialogue.
As for the impact on Burkina Faso’s international relations, the Henley Passport Index ranks the country’s passport 78th globally, granting access to 60 visa-free destinations, many of which are ECOWAS member states.
It remains uncertain whether the omission of the ECOWAS logo from Burkina Faso’s passports will affect these visa agreements within the region.