The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament assembled on Monday in Banjul, The Gambia, to propel the implementation of an essential protocol promoting the free movement of individuals, the right of residence, and business establishment throughout the region.
This five-day session, themed “Parliament’s Role in the Implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Establishment in the ECOWAS Region,” gathered parliamentarians from across West Africa to address the challenges and opportunities in realizing the protocol’s objectives.
Originally adopted on May 29, 1979, the protocol serves as a cornerstone for ECOWAS’s vision of enhanced regional integration and economic cooperation among its member states.
During opening remarks, Baboucarr Joof, The Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, reiterated the nation’s dedication to the principles of regional integration.
Joof encouraged fellow parliamentarians to bolster legislative backing for the protocol and to collaborate with national governments to navigate any barriers to implementation.
“The theme for this meeting is self-explanatory and significantly relevant to the overall objectives for which ECOWAS was established,” he stated. “The free movement of people, the right to residence, and the opportunity for our regional community to establish businesses across borders are not merely enshrined principles; they are the core objectives of ECOWAS—fundamental to the unity, economic integration, and prosperity we aspire for our citizens.”
Hadija Ibrahima, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, underscored the crucial role of parliamentarians in turning the protocol into reality.
She urged policymakers and stakeholders to collaborate effectively in addressing challenges and creating coordinated policies that maximize the benefits of free movement regionally.
“Policymakers and stakeholders must align their efforts to identify hurdles and propose solutions that will optimize the advantages of free movement at both regional and national levels. Achieving these objectives requires the development of coordinated policies and actions,” she emphasized.
Key discussions during the session highlighted the need to harmonize national laws with the protocol’s provisions, ensure coordinated efforts among member states, and secure necessary resources for effective implementation.
The meeting is scheduled to conclude on August 30 with a communiqué detailing essential recommendations and decisions, which will then be forwarded to the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament for further consideration and action.
