NIAMEY, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerien government, meeting in a Council of Ministers on Friday, adopted a draft decree regulating ordinary and service electronic passports as well as the biometric national identity cards of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
According to the council's statement, the measure aims to facilitate the free movement of persons through secure travel documents, in line with the government's efforts to promote sub-regional integration.
The decree also outlines the conditions for issuing, renewing, and withdrawing e-passports.
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali established the AES on Sept. 16, 2023, with the primary objective of pooling efforts to address security challenges and jointly promote socioeconomic development. It was formally transformed into a confederation in July 2024.
Starting from Jan. 29, 2025, AES passports have been officially circulated as part of the implementation of its roadmap. ■
