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Similarly, AES chairman, Mali's military ruler Assimi Goïta, said last January that the right of Ecowas citizens to "enter, circulate, reside, establish and leave the territory" of the new bloc would be maintained.

To consolidate their exit from Ecowas and strenghten their alliance, the three countries said they would begin circulating new AES passports on Wednesday.

Omar Hama from Niger said he wished the three countries had remained in Ecowas, while simultaneously belonging to the AES.

Over the weekend, the AES announced visa-free travel and residency rights for Ecowas citizens.

In a statement, AES chairman, Mali's military ruler Assimi Goïta, said the right of Ecowas citizens to "enter, circulate, reside, establish and leave the territory" of the new bloc would be maintained.