In Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore celebrated the official exit from the West African Economic Union (ECOWAS) by Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, and was the first to receive a newly introduced AES passport. I made it.
This iconic moment comes at a time of significant political and economic change in the region. The new AES passport is seen as a step towards strengthening unity among the three countries, particularly in light of deviations from ECOWAS.
On the streets of Ougadougou, locals hope that AES passports will help combat the spread of misinformation about the area. Many are optimistic that new travel documents will provide a clearer context of their country's capabilities and possibilities.
Cheik Diallo, graphic designer at Ouagadougou, shared his thoughts on the importance of AES passports in changing perceptions.
“Well, in general, there's a lot of bad information elsewhere, and people think AES doesn't work, but when you travel with it, you'll see that AES is not depicted in negative images. You see. The proof is that we are traveling. I can't imagine being in AES and still using our ECOWAS passport.”
Currently produced in the migration sector of Ougadougou, AES passports are considered a tool that can simplify travel and promote deeper connections between the three countries. Passport production became operational at the beginning of the week, marking an important step in implementing the AES framework.
However, some residents remained cautious about the broader implications of this transition, particularly in terms of relations with other ECOWAS countries. One of the main concerns is the possibility that customs fees continue to affect travel between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Ougadougou-based journalist Edem Ahebla discussed the financial implications of these changes.
“As a foreigner, if you leave Burkina Faso for Mali, you have to pay, and the same can be said for Niger. But now, if we have a common passport. , I think it could become a family and perhaps the costs could change. That's what we hope. Otherwise, the passport is still a passport, especially since there are old ones. After expiration, We were told we could get a new passport. If the AES passport allows us to travel to countries where we previously needed a visa and is not now, then it could be an advantage for us. there is.”
Despite these concerns, many people at Ouagadougou hope that AES passports will not only make travel easier, but also provide opportunities to reduce trade barriers and boost the economy in the three countries .
Ecowas says it will remain open to dialogue and cooperation with AES countries. The three countries have taken steps to increase regional independence, but their relationship with Ecowas is not over.
