The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament gathered in Banjul, The Gambia, on Monday to intensify efforts toward implementing the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol.
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,” brought together lawmakers from across West Africa to address the challenges and opportunities in realizing the protocol’s objectives.
Adopted on May 29, 1979, the protocol is a pivotal element of ECOWAS’s mission to enhance regional integration and economic cooperation among its member states.
The Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Baboucarr Joof, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to regional integration during his opening remarks. He called on parliamentarians to bolster legislative support for the protocol and to collaborate with national governments to overcome implementation obstacles.
“The theme for this meeting is fundamentally overarching in relation to the totality of ECOWAS’s objectives,” Joof stated. “The free movement of people, the right to residence, and the unhindered opportunity for the region’s community to establish businesses freely across borders are the very foundation of the unity, economic integration, and prosperity we seek for all our citizens.”
Hadija Ibrahima, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, highlighted the crucial role of parliamentarians in actualizing the protocol.
She urged policymakers and stakeholders to work collaboratively to address challenges and create coordinated policies that maximize the benefits of free movement across the region.
Discussions during the session focused on harmonizing national laws with the protocol, ensuring coordinated efforts among member states, and securing resources for effective implementation.
The meeting is set to conclude on August 30, with the issuance of a communiqué summarizing key recommendations and decisions.
