Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to Launch Passports Under New Alliance

“UPDATE: May Day: Jamaicans at home protest the US and France’s clandestine operations against Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso.”

— Source: Jamaica | May 1, 2025

In Video: Jamaicans at home protesting the US and France's clandestine operations against Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore`.

—Shahid Bolsen: At 36, Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the world’s youngest president – in stark contrast to Africa’s average leader age of 63. He took office in September 2022 after overthrowing Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, who had ousted former president Roch Kaboré earlier that year.

---

---

Mali says the Alliance of Sahel States comprising itself, Burkina Faso, and Niger, will introduce new biometric passports to reflect the new union as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries.

TRT AFRIKA

15 Sep 2024

UPDATE: Three countries cut ties with ECOWAS

“PRESS RELEASE: Withdrawal of Burkina Faso-Mali-Niger from ECOWAS.”

— 29th January 2025

---

---

In early 2024, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formally applied to withdraw from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. / Photo: Reuters

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will introduce new biometric passports as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries, Mali's leader said on Sunday.

The three junta-led Sahel neighbors jointly announced in January they would leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has sought to persuade them to reconsider their decision.

Burkina Faso announced earlier this month that it was rolling out new passports without the ECOWAS logo.

"In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonizing travel documents in our common area and facilitating the mobility of our citizens throughout the world", Malian junta leader Assimi Goita announced on Sunday evening.

Shared information channel

He spoke ahead of a meeting on Monday between the three countries' foreign ministers on the anniversary of the decision to form their own alliance.

Goita also said they were planning to launch a shared information channel "in order to promote a harmonious dissemination of information in our three states."

ECOWAS has warned that the three countries' withdrawal would undermine the freedom of movement and common market of the 400 million people living in the 49-year-old bloc.

Their departure comes as their armies battle armed groups, whose insurgencies have destabilized the region over the past decade and threatened to spill over into coastal West African states.

Reuters

---

Three Sahel nations, including Burkina Faso, to launch a common passport to facilitate the movement of people within their new confederation.

TRT AFRIKA

African Renaissance Retreat

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

African Renaissance Retreat took place in Kigali, Rwanda from September 6th to 8th, 2024. Addressing a gathering of influential leaders and entrepreneurs, Dangote, Africa’s richest man, stressed that the continent’s youthful population and abundant natural resources offer unparalleled opportunities for growth and global influence.

With a youthful population poised to drive economic innovation, Africa stands at a pivotal moment of transformation. In a world where connectivity is key, Africa seeks to leverage its uniqueness for growth and development. Recognizing the need for collaboration across sectors, the Retreat calls for unified efforts to harness Africa's strengths and resources. By fostering dialogue and action, the event aims to pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future.

The gathering, initiated by Dangote, aimed to unite African business leaders and policymakers to tackle the continent’s challenges and promote Africa as a prime destination for investment. Dangote reflected on the success of his own business, which operates in 14 African countries, despite obstacles like inconsistent government policies, infrastructure deficits, and economic instability.

Dangote, Africa’s richest man — Dangote industries limited

Speaking on Africa’s wealth, Dangote noted that the continent is home to approximately 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including the largest deposits of gold, cobalt, uranium, platinum, and diamonds. Additionally, Africa holds 65% of the world’s arable land and 10% of its renewable freshwater resources, making it a key player in global economic prosperity. “These assets are critical for driving not just Africa’s growth but that of the world,” Dangote remarked.

former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dangote

The event featured contributions from prominent African figures, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn.

The retreat also served as a platform to address issues such as conflicts, energy and food security, supply chain disruptions, debt crises, and development funding. Dangote emphasized the importance of dialogue in shaping Africa’s future narrative and driving transformative change.

The closing resolutions include plans to improve the free movement of people across Africa, reduce logistics costs, and expand internet access—seen as crucial for unlocking the continent’s economic potential.

Theo Edwards for YAME

The Proliferation of Places of Worship

The Rwandan government clamped down on more than 5,600 churches, including 100 cave churches.

By Theo Edwards

Rwanda: August 14, 2024: The Rwandan government clamped down on more than 5,600 churches, including 100 cave churches. The reason; is the failure to comply with safety and health regulations, such as poor soundproofing and the transactional nature of many places of worship.

Rwanda has progressively been implementing a law passed in 2018 to regulate religious organizations. The law requires religious leaders to have theological training before operating a church and mandates the RGB to inspect the physical safety of the buildings housing the churches.

This recent move represents the most significant enforcement since the 2018 law regulating places of worship was implemented. When the law was enacted, approximately 700 churches were closed.

In a statement, RGB said that the inspection focuses on verifying that religious organizations have registration documents issued by the board. The churches also need to show letters of collaboration with the district authorities. 

“Relevant authorities will continue to collaborate with religious leaders to promote transformational development while adhering to the laws and regulations governing faith-based organizations and ensuring that prayer houses/buildings meet legal standards,” read the statement issued on August 1.

Believers worship during a Sunday service at an Anglican church in the Kacyiru, Rwanda, on Feb. 16, 2019. | The Christian Post/Samuel Smith

'There should be an intentional willingness to comply with the law. When we register faith-based organizations, we ask them to provide their structure. The education requirement is primarily targeted at the top personnel in the organizational structure,' clarified Kaitesi.