Burkina Faso has officially introduced a new biometric passport that omits the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marking a significant step in its separation from the regional bloc. The announcement was made by Burkina Faso’s Security Minister, Mahamadou Sana, on Tuesday, following the country’s decision to withdraw from ECOWAS earlier this year.

The new passports do not feature the ECOWAS insignia or any reference to the organization, a move that reflects Burkina Faso’s stance after severing ties with ECOWAS. The withdrawal followed military coups in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, which led to the imposition of sanctions by the 15-member bloc.

Sana confirmed the development, stating, “This passport does not feature the ECOWAS logo or any mention of ECOWAS. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is simply a realization of the action already taken by Burkina Faso.”

The decision to issue passports without the ECOWAS logo comes amid ongoing tensions between the three nations and the regional organization. ECOWAS had imposed sanctions in response to the military takeovers, demanding a return to constitutional order before considering lifting the measures. Despite this, Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has rejected any plans to rejoin ECOWAS, accusing the organization of betraying the pan-African ideals it was founded on.

Despite its withdrawal from ECOWAS, Burkina Faso’s passport maintains a relatively strong global standing, ranked 78th worldwide by the Henley Passport Index. It provides visa-free access to 60 destinations, including current ECOWAS member states.

The departure of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from ECOWAS has raised concerns about the potential impact on the free movement of people and goods within the region, affecting the bloc’s 400 million citizens. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, the current chair of ECOWAS, has been actively working to persuade the three countries to reconsider their exit, stressing that ECOWAS remains open to maintaining amicable relations.

As Burkina Faso forges ahead with its new passport system, the regional dynamics within West Africa continue to evolve, reflecting broader geopolitical shifts and regional tensions.