CSS Unveils Official Flag After Exit from ECOWAS

Oluwasegun SanusiFebruary 22, 20251 Mins read1.2k

The Confederation of Sahel States (CSS) unveiled its flag today in a ceremony held in Bamako, Mali. Under the chairmanship of Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Republic of Mali, the Ministers of CSS marked this historic moment following the validation of the flag by the Heads of State of member countries.

The rectangular flag features a green background with the CSS logo. The choice of green is deeply symbolic, representing growth, hope, prosperity, and the region’s abundant natural resources.

The event is a significant step in the consolidation of CSS by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to strengthen cooperation in security, economic development, and governance.

It will be recalled that Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29, 2024.

Earlier, the confederation announced the launch of its regional passport, a significant step towards enhancing the free movement of people and goods within its member states. According to a press release by the CSS presidency, the new CSS passports circulated on January 29, 2025. However, old passports bearing the ECOWAS logo will remain valid until their expiration date, providing a smooth transition for citizens.

The confederation also announced plans to establish a Regional Investment Bank in another move. This decision was taken during a ministerial meeting of the AES held in Bamako on January 16, 2025. Other key decisions from the session include launching transformative infrastructure projects across member states. The meeting was attended by ministers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, following preparatory discussions held by regional experts on January 14 and 15.

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