Lawmakers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have reaffirmed their commitment to the free movement protocol, asserting that it does not compromise regional security.
The co-chair of the joint committees on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights, Snowe Edwin, addressed concerns after a week-long meeting in Banjul, The Gambia, emphasizing that the protocol allows for necessary security measures without violating citizens’ rights.
Edwin clarified that while security checks are essential, they should not be used as a pretext for extortion or intimidation at borders. His comments followed a dispute at the Karang-Amdalai border between The Gambia and Senegal, where officials argued that national security should take precedence over the protocol.
He stressed the need for increased public awareness and education on the free movement regulations, as many citizens and even some security personnel remain uninformed.
Edwin advocated for widespread distribution of protocol documents to Customs and Immigration officers and suggested using social media and educational institutions to raise awareness.
ECOWAS Parliament member Maimuna Ceesay supported Edwin’s stance, sharing her personal experience of being extorted by security officials while crossing the Senegal-Gambia border. She called for closer monitoring of border activities and further education of both citizens and officers to ensure proper enforcement of the protocols.
The joint committee’s draft report recommended sensitization campaigns to educate the public and government officials on the ECOWAS free movement protocol.
They also urged that training for Immigration and Customs officials include specific education on these regional texts to ensure adherence at border posts.
