The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) committees on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), alongside Legal and Human Rights, and Trade Customs and Free Movement, have recommended the abolition of residence permits among member states to promote seamless regional mobility.
During their joint session held in Banjul, The Gambia, the committees presented a draft report to the ECOWAS Commission and member states, urging the removal of the ECOWAS Residence Permit, also known as the ECOWAS Residence Card. This document is currently required for citizens of member nations intending to reside in another ECOWAS country for extended periods for business, employment, or personal reasons.
The ECOWAS Residence Permit system was instituted under the ECOWAS Treaty signed in May 1975, which aimed to promote economic integration and cooperation among West African nations, including facilitating the free movement of people within the region. However, the joint committee argues that the residence permit system restricts the free movement of citizens across ECOWAS countries.
The report, which awaits plenary approval, states that “the issuance of residence permits should be completely abolished in the region in conformity with the Community Text.”
Parliamentarians have raised concerns over the inadequate implementation of ECOWAS free movement protocols at borders across the region. In response, the joint committee recommends organizing awareness campaigns to educate citizens and relevant government officials about regional agreements, including the Protocol on Free Movement.
“The Free Movement Protocol should be made available to all Immigration Officers, especially at the border posts. All training programs for Immigration and Customs officials should include instruction on the relevant Community Texts,” the draft report emphasizes.
Additionally, the committees have called for the deployment of officials at border posts to monitor, document, and report instances of extortion and misconduct. The report also urges the ECOWAS Commission to ensure that all member states fully implement the Community Texts ratified by Heads of State and Government and highlights the need for adherence to the ECOWAS Biometric Identification Card system.
The parliamentarians have further requested that the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament conduct reviews of all ratified Community Texts at the national level to minimize inconsistencies between regional texts and national laws.
Earlier in the week, the joint committee hosted a town hall meeting with stakeholders and conducted interactive sessions with border officials in The Gambia and Senegal to evaluate the implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocols and identify challenges hindering their full execution.
