France officially ended its decades-long military presence in Chad, its last stronghold in the West African region. The shift is part of a larger movement to push France out of the area.

"The rise of junta rule in the Sahel represents a complex interplay between decolonization and destabilization."

A source who asked for anonymity said Emptech is not involved in the production of the new passport for the three Sahel states.

Supporters of the military junta take part in a march to celebrate Niger's withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its support for the Alliance of Sahel States in Niamey,

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially left West Africa’s main political and trade group ECOWAS after more than a year of diplomatic tension.

The Sahel region is a geographical belt in Africa that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, between the Sahara Desert in the north and the Savannah in the south. It is characterised by challenging environmental crises and conflicts.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger accused a regional bloc known as ECOWAS of having double standards in punishing their military juntas. Negotiations failed to change their minds.

Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso officially left West Africa's main political and trade group ECOWAS on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions.

Across Burkina Faso, thousands gathered on Tuesday to celebrate one year since the country withdrew from ECOWAS.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Wednesday formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc. The military-led governments in the three West African nations decided to withdraw from the bloc, and formed their own security alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September 2023.

The Sahel Can Revolutionize Renewable Energy Access and Affordability Up to the Last Mile (By Reshmi Theckethil)