By Awa DK Conteh
The ECOWAS Parliament last week concluded a week-long ‘Joint committee delocalised meeting in Banjul, to discuss the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of People, Right to Establishment and Residence.
Four committees of the Community’s Parliament participated in the convergence; namely, the Committees on Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Social Affairs, Gender, Women Empowerment & Persons with Disabilities, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism.
The meeting also saw Honourable Members of the Community conduct a public hearing with market vendors at the Semega Janneh Hall in Latri Kunda, and as well as talks with both The Gambia and Senegalese authorities stationed at the Amdalai-Karang border to discuss the prospects and challenges of implementation of the protocol on free movement of people. A dialogue session with youths was also held to discuss mechanisms to tackle illegal migration which is ravaging the very fabric of the West African societies.
The convergence was officially opened by the Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, Fabakary Tombong Jatta on Monday 26th August 2024 at the Sir Dawda International Conference Centre.
Speaker Jatta used the occasion to call on parliamentarians to focus on legislative reforms, oversight and democracy to address challenges and ensure the full realisation of the protocol on free movement. He also emphasised the need for Member States to harmonize their laws with regional commitment and review and amend immigration policies and labour laws to align with the demands of the protocol.
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Madam Hadja Memounatu Ibrahim emphasised the role of the Parliament in ensuring the successful implementation of the protocol.
The meeting concluded with the release of a joint communique detailing resolutions proffered by the joint committee to addressing the challenges associated with the implementation of the protocol on free movement.
