African nations and Russia's space agency announced a partnership to deploy satellites aimed at enhancing security, managing natural disasters, and improving internet access in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will introduce new biometric passports as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favour of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries,

The contractor for the new passport has not been announced yet, but Biometric Update has been informed by a source that details are currently being finalized.

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are set to introduce new biometric passports as part of their exit from a West African bloc ・In January, the three junta-led Sahel countries jointly declared their intention to withdraw from the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).