challenges of free movement for AES countries after CEDEAO exit
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)—intended as a move toward greater sovereignty—has created significant hurdles for free movement of people and goods within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Travel documentation, such as passports, national IDs, and driver’s licenses, has become a major obstacle for citizens of the AES seeking to move within the broader ECOWAS region. Even among AES member states, challenges persist in ensuring smooth cross-border travel.
Almou Yacouba, secretary-general of the Niger Democratic Road Transport Union, highlights the ongoing difficulties faced by travelers from the AES:
“We face issues with international vehicle registration certificates and international driver’s permits. The ECOWAS insurance requirement is particularly burdensome for us within the AES space. When traveling within ECOWAS, authorities sometimes reject our Niger ID cards because they lack an expiration date, only showing the manufacturing date. Previously, ECOWAS travel IDs were accepted, but now, border officials often demand them, creating real challenges for travelers.”
border corruption persists even within the AES
Despite efforts by Sahel governments to improve conditions, transporters and travelers still encounter excessive controls and demands for bribes at various borders—even within the AES.
Chaibou Tchiombiano, secretary-general of the Niger Importers and Exporters Association, emphasizes the ongoing challenges:
“We should have free movement of people and goods, but unfortunately, these issues persist.”
“Our hope, he continues, is for a unified AES passport that would allow seamless travel across AES member states.”
The lack of standardized travel documents remains a critical challenge for citizens of the three countries. This issue prompted Niamey to host a meeting of AES transport ministers in December 2025, where discussions focused on facilitating the free movement of people and goods within the AES—following their departure from ECOWAS.
