The joint committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made a significant call for the abolition of the residence permit system, arguing that it restricts the free movement of citizens within the region.
This recommendation was highlighted in a draft report presented to the member states and the ECOWAS on Thursday at the conclusion of the committee’s delocalised sittings in Banjul, The Gambia.
A committee, comprising representatives from Social Affairs, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Peace, Security, and Trade Customs, cited that the residence permit system, introduced under the ECOWAS Treaty of 1975, no longer serves its intended purpose.
The ECOWAS Residence Permit or Residence Card, was established to allow citizens reside in another member state for extended periods for business, employment, or personal reasons.
However, the committee now asserted that the permit system contradicts the core ECOWAS objective of fostering economic integration and cooperation, particularly in relation to the protocol on free movement.
The committee also raised concerns about the widespread non-implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocols at various borders within West Africa.
To remedy this situation, they have called for robust sensitisation campaigns aimed at educating both citizens and government officials on these regional agreements.
Additionally, the report recommended comprehensive training for Immigration and Customs officers on the relevant Community Texts, particularly those stationed at the border posts.
To ensure the smooth implementation of these protocols, the committee also demanded the deployment of officials at the border posts to monitor, document, and report instances of extortion and other malpractices.
Furthermore, they urged the ECOWAS Commission to enforce full compliance with the implementation of signed Community Texts by member states, particularly concerning the ECOWAS Biometric Identification Card.
These recommendations from the committee were the result of a series of consultations held earlier in the week, which included a town hall meeting with stakeholders and an interactive session with border officials from The Gambia and Senegal.
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