Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will soon introduce new biometric passports issued by their new alliance, after their withdrawal the West African Ecowas bloc earlier this year. Mali's leader said Sunday that the three countries would soon be putting into circulation a biometric passport of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger collectively declared their withdrawal from the 15-nation ECOWAS, alleging that it undermines their sovereignty by acting as an instrument for foreign interests.

The allies consolidated their ties with the creation of a Confederation of Sahel States which will be chaired by Mali in its first year

The contractor for the new passport has not been announced yet, but Biometric Update has been informed by a source that details are currently being finalized.