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A joint committee of the Economic Community of West African States has backed called for the abolition of the residence permit system.
According to the panel such permit system obstructs the free movement of citizens across the region.
They made this call to members’ states and the ECOWAS Commission at the end of their delocalized sitting in Banjil, the Gambia
The joint committee includes representatives from Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and Trade Customs.
They argued that the residence permits system, initially introduced under the ECOWAS Treaty of 1975, no longer serves its intended purpose.
The system, known as the ECOWAS Residence Permit or Residence Card, was designed to allow citizens to reside in another member state for extended periods for business, employment, or personal reasons.
However, the committee now argues that the permit system contradicts the fundamental ECOWAS objective of promoting economic integration and cooperation, particularly the protocol on free movement.
According to their report, “The issuance of residence permits should be completely abolished in the region in conformity with the Community Text.”
The committee’s report also pointed out widespread non-implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocols at borders within West Africa.
According to the panel, “The Free Movement Protocol should be made available to all Immigration Officers, especially at the border posts.
“All training programmes of Immigration and Customs officials should include training on the relevant Community Texts,” the draft report said.
Further, the committee demanded the deployment of officials at border posts to monitor, document, and report instances of extortion and other malpractices.
