The new passport of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) will be in circulation starting January 29, 2025. This common travel document for member countries represents an improvement in facilitating regional travel for their citizens. With the intensification of economic and cultural exchanges in West Africa, it aims to strengthen regional integration while simplifying travel procedures.

What are the features of the new AES passport, its impact on citizens of the member states, and the key figures illustrating its importance ?

AES Passport : Addressing Interregional Mobility Challenges

Assimi Goïta, President of the Sahel States Alliance (AES), announced in a statement the launch of the AES Confederation passport. This new travel document will be issued in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger starting January 29, 2025.

The old passports will remain valid until their expiration date. However, citizens of the AES Confederation holding passports with the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will have the option to exchange them for the new AES passport, according to the official statement.

The President of AES reassured citizens that all necessary measures would be implemented to ensure the effective free movement of people and goods. This project aims to address mobility, security, and economic development challenges in a region regularly facing humanitarian crises and conflicts.

AES Passport : Context and Objectives

The creation of this passport is part of a context where the free movement of people is a crucial lever for economic and social development. According to the World Bank, the Sahel is home to about 80 million inhabitants, many of whom live in poverty. The new passport aims to:

• Facilitate commercial exchanges between member states
• Promote tourism by simplifying travel
• Strengthen regional cooperation by reducing administrative barriers

One of the major objectives of this initiative is to remove mobility barriers. Currently, citizens of these countries face complex administrative procedures and high fees for obtaining visas. Thanks to the AES passport, these procedures will be simplified, ensuring smoother movement and better access to economic and social opportunities.

Features of the New AES Passport

The Sahel States Alliance passport stands out with several innovative features.

• Design and Security : The passport is designed with advanced security elements to prevent counterfeiting. It includes holograms, watermarks, and electronic chips containing biometric data.
• Validity : This passport is valid for ten years, which is in line with international standards. This will allow citizens to travel without having to renew their documents frequently.
• Visa Facilitation : Holders of this passport will benefit from simplified access to visas for other countries in the region, as well as some African and European countries. This could potentially reduce visa costs by 30 to 50%.
• Digital Interconnection : The passport will be integrated into a digital system that allows authorities to verify the authenticity of documents in real time, thus enhancing border security.

Economic Impact

The economic impact of the new passport could be significant. According to a study by the Economic Commission for Africa, free movement of people in the region could increase the GDP of Sahel countries by 2 to 3% per year. By facilitating trade and tourism, the passport could also create thousands of jobs.

For example, the tourism sector, which accounts for about 5 % of GDP in some Sahel countries, could benefit from an increase in visitors. In 2023, Mali welcomed around 1.5 million tourists. With this new passport, a 20% increase in visitors is expected due to travel facilitation.

New AES Passport : Key Figures

• Sahel Population : About 80 million inhabitants.
• Poverty Rate : Approximately 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.
• Average Visa Cost: Currently, the average visa cost for Sahel countries is about 100 USD.
• Visa Processing Time : On average, it takes 15 days to obtain a visa, which can be a barrier for travelers.
• Impact on GDP : A 2 to 3 % increase in GDP is expected thanks to free movement.

Launch of the New AES Passport: Challenges to Overcome

Despite the potential benefits, several challenges must be considered. Security is a major concern in the region, where armed groups often operate. Governments will need to work together to ensure that the new passport is not used for illegal purposes.

Furthermore, implementing the passport requires investments in infrastructure and training of immigration officers. Member states will also need to harmonize their policies on migration and security.

The new Sahel States Alliance passport represents a significant step towards regional integration and the free movement of people. By facilitating travel and reducing associated costs, this passport could help boost the region’s economy and improve the quality of life for citizens.

However, for this project to be successful, member states must work closely together to overcome security and infrastructure challenges. The future of the Sahel will largely depend on the ability of its countries to work together to build a prosperous future.