Former diplomats on Thursday warned that the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States could undermine regional stability, potentially escalating insurgency and extremism in the Sahel.

The Sahel region is a geographical belt in Africa that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, between the Sahara Desert in the north and the Savannah in the south. It is characterised by challenging environmental crises and conflicts.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) withdraws from ECOWAS and continues initiatives for independence, regional integration, and defensive cooperation.

A source who asked for anonymity said Emptech is not involved in the production of the new passport for the three Sahel states.

"The rise of junta rule in the Sahel represents a complex interplay between decolonization and destabilization."

The French army has handed over its last base in Chad in a military ceremony in the capital N'Djamena, marking the end of French military presence in the country. Once a key link in France's military presence in Africa,

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso were to officially quit the West African bloc Ecowas Wednesday, severing ties after years of strained relations that have reshaped trade routes in the Sahel.

A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy in their troubled central Sahel region, Niger's defence chief said on state television.

The Sahel, a semiarid region in Africa south of the Sahara Desert, has long been a focal point and an environmental issue .

Ghana President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday appointed a former national security chief as envoy to a new alliance formed by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, signaling his administration's intention to mend ties with the three military-led nations.

Governments seeking more revenue from mines operated by Australian, Canadian and French companies Imouraren Mana The Barron's news department was not involved in the creation of the content above. This article was produced by AFP.

The two organizations helped journalists in Africa's Sahel region learn mobile journalism and safety while reporting on conflicts. They also gave out the annual Pax Sahel prize in recognition of journalism excellence.