AES: Adoption of the biometric identity card, a decisive step towards inclusive Sahelian integration

The adoption of a common biometric ID card and electronic passport within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) marks a major step forward in realizing the regional integration envisioned by Presidents Ibrahim Traoré, Assimi Goïta, and Abdourahamane Tiani.
This reform reflects a strong political will to build a union based on sovereignty, security, and solidarity. By standardizing identity documents, the AES goes beyond administrative measures to affirm a shared Sahelian identity, promoting the free movement of citizens and strengthening unity among the peoples of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
These documents represent a break from past dependencies and signal a shift toward autonomous confederal governance. They require technological coordination, shared security data, and simplified administrative processes.
The AES e-passport and biometric ID card stand as symbols of dignity, belonging, and mobility, while also addressing the region’s security challenges. Their implementation calls for civic education, institutional engagement, and public participation—so that every citizen feels represented in this new confederal structure. With this initiative, the AES takes a decisive step toward a concrete, inclusive, and resilient form of regional integration.