Burkina Faso President, Traoré, Becomes First AES Leader To Receive New Regional Identity Card

Burkina Faso’s President, Ibrahim Traoré, on Monday became the first head of state of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to receive the bloc’s biometric identity card, a symbolic yet tangible step in the Sahel‑wide push to build unified citizenship and institutional independence following the bloc’s exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The card was handed over by the country’s security minister, Mahamoudou Sana marking the start of a broader rollout across AES member states according to Africa News.

On November 6, 2025, Burkina Faso’s Council of Ministers formally approved the launch of the AES biometric ID card, a milestone in modernizing the country’s identification system.

The new card which is valid for 10 years, meets international standards, and incorporates advanced biometric data to enhance security and streamline access to public services. It also highlights the country’s commitment to regional integration within the AES, alongside Mali and Niger.

The AES biometric ID is designed to be secure, reliable, and compliant with regional and international norms. It will be available to all Burkinabe citizens from the age of five, valid for 10 years, and facilitate access to social services while strengthening identity security.

A five-year transitional period allows old identity cards to remain valid across the three AES countries, after which they will be fully phased out.

The Council of Ministers adopted two decrees formalizing these changes. Notably, ECOWAS logos have been removed from the passports, reflecting Burkina Faso’s political and administrative shift toward AES membership and signaling the bloc’s growing institutional independence.