Burkina Faso removes Ecowas logo from new passports: summary

Source: AI with DALLE-E

What we know

Burkina Faso has introduced new biometric passports that no longer feature the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This is a step towards the country’s announced withdrawal from the regional alliance. The move follows a military coup that brought the current leadership to power and reflects the country’s determination to sever ties with the 15-member bloc.
Burkina Faso, along with fellow military-led states Niger and Mali, announced their decision to leave ECOWAS in a coordinated statement broadcast on national television.
The three nations, which have formed a defence and cooperation pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States, made the decision after ECOWAS suspended them following a series of coups from 2020 to 2023.
The three states are expected to formalise their departure in January 2024.

What they said

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana told reporters, "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".

Etornam Kornu