The Confederation of Sahel States declares itself a visa-free zone for ECOWAS citizens
The Sahel Confederation, which includes Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, has declared itself a visa-free zone for any citizen of the member states of the Economic Community of West African States, adding that citizens of the ECOWAS countries have the right to enter, move, reside and leave the territories of the member states of the Sahel Alliance in accordance with the texts in force.
A statement signed by Mali’s transitional president and rotating president of the Sahel Alliance, General Assimi Goita, explained that the alliance countries reserve the right, in accordance with their laws and regulations, to refuse entry to any citizen of the Economic Community of West African States who is classified as immigrants who are not accepted on their territory.
The announcement, issued ahead of an ECOWAS summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja today, stated that private vehicles registered on the territory of one of the member states of the organization may enter the territory of a member state of the Sahel Confederation in accordance with the applicable texts.
The announcement indicated that commercial vehicles registered on the territory of one of the member states of the ECOWAS group and transporting people may enter the territory of a member state of the Sahel Confederation in accordance with the applicable texts.
The declaration stressed that these decisions come in view of the Treaty establishing the Sahel Alliance adopted in Niamey on July 6, 2024, and the Liptako-Gourma Charter issued on September 16, 2023 establishing the Sahel Alliance, and also the alliance’s conviction of the need to continue the heroic struggles waged by African peoples and countries for political independence, human dignity and economic liberation.
The declaration stated that the decisions also come in fulfillment of the objectives and ideals of the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, guided by the spirit of brotherhood, solidarity and friendship, and commitment to strengthening the centuries-old relations between the peoples of Africa.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso announced in January 2024 that they would leave ECOWAS, considering it a tool used by France, the former colonial power of these three countries, whose ruling military councils had expelled their forces from their territories.
According to the West African organization, the withdrawal decision will take effect one year after its announcement, which is expected to be one of the issues discussed at Sunday’s summit.
