The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has announced a groundbreaking policy allowing visa-free entry for citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The decision, adopted on December 14, 2024, reflects the bloc’s commitment to enhancing regional integration and mobility.
Under the new directive, ECOWAS nationals can now travel, reside, and establish themselves freely within the AES member states—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—provided they comply with national laws.
The agreement also extends the free movement policy to personal and commercial vehicles, which will be allowed to cross borders without additional restrictions, in line with local regulations.
Speaking on the policy, AES President-in-Office General Assimi Goïta emphasized that while borders are open, member states retain the right to deny entry to individuals deemed “inadmissible.”
This clause, he noted, ensures national security concerns are balanced with the bloc’s broader goals of fostering unity and cooperation.
The announcement marks a significant step in the AES’s efforts to strengthen ties with ECOWAS while demonstrating the Sahel bloc’s willingness to collaborate on shared regional priorities.
This move could serve as a model for other African sub-regions striving for greater mobility and economic integration.
As regional leaders aim to enhance cross-border trade and cultural exchange, the implementation of this policy will be closely watched, both for its immediate impact on the free movement of people and its long-term implications for West African unity.
