free movement of goods and people under strain in the alliance of Sahel states
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was framed as an assertion of sovereignty. However, it has inadvertently disrupted the seamless movement of people and goods across these nations. While the move severed ties with ECOWAS, it introduced new obstacles within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), where administrative hurdles persist.
Travelers from the AES now face significant challenges when attempting to cross borders within ECOWAS member states. Standard travel documents like passports, national ID cards and driver’s licenses are no longer universally recognized. This has left many travelers scrambling for additional paperwork, particularly the ECOWAS insurance card, international vehicle registration and international driver’s permit, which are often required but inconsistently enforced.
Almou Yacouba, General Secretary of the Democratic Road Transport Union of Niger, highlights the recurring issues at border crossings:
“The biggest headaches come from the international vehicle registration and international driver’s permit. The ECOWAS insurance card is another source of frustration within the AES. Even within ECOWAS, travelers with a Nigerien ID card have been turned away at borders like those in Côte d’Ivoire. Officials claim the card lacks an expiration date, despite being valid. Before our departure from ECOWAS, there were unified travel documents for the region. Now, border agents demand them again, creating unnecessary delays and confusion.”
persistent corruption at borders despite reforms
While governments in the Sahel have pledged to improve border conditions, reports of extortion and arbitrary fees continue to plague travelers and transporters alike. Chaibou Tchiombiano, General Secretary of the Nigerien Importers and Exporters Association, underscores the gap between policy and reality:
“The principle of free movement should apply to both people and goods. Unfortunately, we still encounter the same old problems at nearly every checkpoint.”
Tchiombiano emphasizes the need for a unified AES passport to facilitate seamless travel within the alliance:
“Our hope is for a single passport that would allow us to move freely across all AES member states without additional documentation.”
The issue of standardized travel documents remains a critical challenge for citizens of the three countries. In response, Niamey hosted a ministerial meeting in December 2025, where transport ministers from the AES discussed strategies to restore free movement of people and goods within the alliance, following their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
