Sahel States Announce Visa-Free Travel Amid ECOWAS Exit

In a surprise move, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite their planned withdrawal from the organization in January. The decision, made by the military leaders of the three Sahel states, aims to strengthen historical ties among African nations.

The new alliance, known as the Alliance of Sahel States, will maintain the right of ECOWAS citizens to enter, circulate, reside, establish, and leave the territory, according to Mali’s military ruler Assimi Goïta. This move is seen as a gesture of goodwill towards ECOWASMali, Burkina Faso, Niger to Exit ECOWAS by January 2025 leaders, despite the trio’s In a surprise move, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced visa-free travel and residency rights for citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite their planned withdrawal from the organization in January. The decision, made by the military leaders of the three Sahel states, aims to strengthen historical ties among African nations. to quit the bloc. ECOWAS leaders have offered a six-month grace period for reconsideration but respect the trio’s decision .