Why ECOWAS is Struggling with Enforcement of Free Movement – Speaker Ibrahima

• ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Hajia Memounatou Ibrahima cites weaknesses in implementation mechanisms and conflicting national interests as key barriers to the protocol
• She calls for strong governance based on mutual trust and urges the ECOWAS Parliament to audit and ensure the protocol’s effectiveness

The Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Hajia Memounatou Ibrahima, has highlighted several challenges hindering the effective implementation of the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons across West African countries. Speaking at a delocalised meeting of the Joint Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women’s Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, and other related committees on Monday in Banjul, The Gambia, Ibrahima identified weaknesses in implementation mechanisms, conflicting national interests, and infrastructure problems as key barriers.

Ibrahima emphasized the significance of free movement to regional integration, noting that the protocol, adopted on May 29, 1975, allows ECOWAS citizens to enter, reside, and establish themselves in member states without needing a visa. The protocol is designed to facilitate mobility and stimulate intra-regional trade.

However, she pointed out that despite the protocol’s potential benefits, the implementation has faced numerous obstacles. “Weaknesses in the implementation mechanism, differences in national interests, and infrastructure problems hinder the achievement of the protocol’s objectives,” she explained.

Ibrahima called for strong governance based on mutual trust, shared responsibility, and ownership of results to fully realize free movement within the ECOWAS region. She also urged the ECOWAS Parliament to play a more active role in auditing and ensuring the protocol’s effectiveness.

During the event’s opening, Rt. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of the Gambian National Assembly, underscored the importance of parliamentarians in implementing ECOWAS protocols. Jatta noted that many ECOWAS citizens face significant difficulties moving across borders due to security challenges such as terrorism and transborder trafficking. He stressed the need to harmonize national laws with regional commitments to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services.

Jatta also urged the committee to focus on resolutions allowing member states to review and amend immigration policies and labour laws affecting free movement within the region. “There is an urgent need to ensure that our laws facilitate rather than hinder the movement of people across West African borders,” he added.

The discussions at the meeting highlighted the complex challenges ECOWAS faces in achieving its goal of regional integration through free movement and the need for coordinated efforts to overcome these obstacles.