Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament convened on Monday in Banjul, The Gambia, to push forward the implementation of a pivotal protocol that underpins the free movement of persons, the right of residence, and the establishment of businesses across the region. This effort, central to ECOWAS’s vision for deeper regional integration, brought together parliamentarians from across West Africa for a five-day session.

The session, titled “Parliament’s Role in the Implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence, and Establishment in the ECOWAS Region,” seeks to address the challenges and leverage the opportunities related to the protocol. Initially adopted on May 29, 1975, this protocol is fundamental to ECOWAS’s goal of fostering economic cooperation among its member states.

Opening the session, The Gambia’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Baboucarr Joof, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the ideals of regional integration. He urged fellow parliamentarians to bolster legislative support for the protocol and to work closely with their respective national governments to overcome any hurdles in its implementation.

Joof emphasized the protocol’s significance, stating, “The free movement of people, the right to residence, and the idea of unhindered opportunity for the community of the region to be able to establish businesses across our borders freely are not just principles enshrined in our protocols; they are the very foundation of the unity, economic integration, and prosperity that we seek for all our citizens.”

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Ibrahima, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the crucial role parliamentarians play in bringing the protocol to fruition. She called for unified efforts among policymakers and stakeholders to tackle the challenges head-on and to develop coordinated policies that enhance the benefits of free movement within the region.

“Policymakers and all stakeholders must unify their efforts to identify challenges and propose solutions that will maximize the benefits of free movement, both at the regional and national levels. These objectives will only be achieved through the development of coordinated policies and actions,” she asserted.

The discussions during the session focused on harmonizing national laws with the protocol’s provisions, ensuring concerted efforts among member states, and securing the resources necessary for effective implementation. The meeting is scheduled to conclude on August 30, with the release of a communiqué summarizing the key recommendations and decisions. This document will be submitted to the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament for further deliberation and action.