The Sahel region is a geographical belt in Africa that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, between the Sahara Desert in the north and the Savannah in the south. It is characterised by challenging environmental crises and conflicts.

A source who asked for anonymity said Emptech is not involved in the production of the new passport for the three Sahel states.

"The rise of junta rule in the Sahel represents a complex interplay between decolonization and destabilization."

Across Burkina Faso, thousands gathered on Tuesday to celebrate one year since the country withdrew from ECOWAS.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially left West Africa’s main political and trade group ECOWAS after more than a year of diplomatic tension.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Wednesday formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc. The military-led governments in the three West African nations decided to withdraw from the bloc, and formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2023.

Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially left West Africa's main political and trade group ECOWAS on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions.

The three junta-led West African nations, who have come together to form the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) after their coups, formally left the Economic Community of West African States, after a year of diplomatic moves to avert their withdrawal.

Thousands of people rallied Tuesday in Niger and Burkina Faso in support of the withdrawal of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, which is due to take effect today.

The deadline for the exit of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States is set to expire today, creating significant uncertainty within the region.

The three Sahelian countries teamed up to form a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as they exit ECOWAS Wednesday.