By Gabriel Okhao
Amidst the recent controversies surrounding ECOWAS and the exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the West African bloc, reports have emerged that Niger has begun imposing border passage restrictions on ECOWAS passport holders.
This has reportedly started causing issues, as cross-border traders and commuters are now facing various challenges. It has been said that Nigerien officials at the border no longer accept the ECOWAS regional bloc passport as a valid means of identification.
Reports indicate that Niger’s border authorities are now insisting on the national passport, thereby placing tighter restrictions on travellers who previously relied on the ECOWAS bloc passport.
The countries that have exited the ECOWAS bloc so far are Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
These nations have also formed a series of alliances, one of which is the Alliance of Sahel States—a confederation between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.