Three West African countries run by military juntas have continued to show unity despite growing calls from the African Union and other international bodies for a return to democratic rule.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have all experienced military coups between 2020 and 2023, have surprised the global community by announcing plans to launch new biometric passports “in the coming days.” Many see this move as a further indication of their withdrawal from the wider regional bloc, ECOWAS.

The military leaders in these nations, facing sanctions and pressure from ECOWAS, previously declared their exit from the bloc. In response, they formed their own group, the Alliance of Sahel States, and have so far resisted calls to rejoin ECOWAS, instead opting to strengthen their alliance.

“In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the [alliance] will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonizing travel documents within our common area,” said Malian junta leader Col. Assimi Goïta, who currently serves as the acting president of the Sahel alliance. His comments were made during a televised address on Sunday evening, according to BBC News.

This year marks the first anniversary of the creation of the Sahel alliance, a move that has solidified the unity between these three nations.

It remains unclear how the introduction of the new passports will impact travel for their citizens, who previously enjoyed visa-free movement within ECOWAS member states under the 15-nation regional passport system.

The junta leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have also been vocal in their preference for Russian military support over French and UN forces in their fight against terrorism in the region.