Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has stressed the need for the ECOWAS laws to facilitate the free movement of people across the sub-region borders rather than hinder it.
Jatta said this at a delocalised meeting of the joint committees on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP), Legal and Human Rights, Trade Customs and Free Movement at Banjul, The Gambia, on Monday.
He said free movement of persons, rights of residence and establishment are fundamental to the vision of a united peaceful and prosperous community.
Jatta stressed that the member states must ensure that national laws are harmonised with regional commitments, provide robust oversight to guarantee compliance and advocate tirelessly for the rights and welfare of all ECOWAS citizens.
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He challenged the ECOWAS parliamentarians to focus on resolutions that will allow member states harmonizing national laws with regional commitments, including reviewing and amending immigration policies, labour laws, and other relevant legislation to align with the provisions of the protocol.
“Our legislative actions must be geared towards creating an enabling environment where the protocol can thrive and deliver on its promises.
“Equally, we must also recognise the numerous challenges that have impeded the full realisation of the protocol. Many of our citizens face significant difficulties when attempting to move across our borders. These challenges range from bureaucratic obstacles and inconsistent immigration policies to issues of national security.
“There is an urgent need to ensure that our laws facilitate, rather than hinder, the movement of people across our borders. Robust oversight on the part of you the Parliamentarians is also essential to guarantee compliance with the protocol.
“We must hold our governments accountable for their commitments and ensure that they are implementing the necessary measures to facilitate free movement of our people across our region.
“We must, therefore, approach our deliberations with a sense of urgency, commitment and determination, knowing that the hopes and aspirations of millions of ECOWAS citizens rest on our shoulders.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou TangaraG said free movement of the citizens is in line with regional objectives which is regional integration through trade and the movement of people, services and goods.
Represented by the Director of Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Gambia, Omar Balde, the minister urged the national assembly to make laws to favour the implementation process while calling for the harmonisation of the various national laws in the areas of migration.
On his part, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment of the Gambia, Mr Baboucarr Joof said the protocol on free movement of persons, rights of residence and establishment is a cornerstone of the ECOWAS vision for a unified West African region.
He said it embodies the commitment of the ECOWAS member states to create a borderless community where individuals can move freely, establish businesses and reside across member states without unnecessary restrictions.
“The parliament is not only relevant in making protocols but they are important in the implementation of the protocols as they are people’s representatives with much closer relationships with them.
“It is therefore crucial for parliament’s involvement in the implementation of the protocols,” Joof said.
He urged the ECOWAS parliament to enhance its Legislative support in translating the objectives of the protocol into national legislation, adding that legislative bodies must work diligently to harmonies national laws with the protocols’ provisions.
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