Abuja – On 24 July, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) validated five new strategies to guide migration policy in a region where intraregional movement has been severely hampered by COVID-19.

The validation is the result of the Migration Dialogue for West Africa (MIDWA) virtual meeting for ministers of Interior and Security from all ECOWAS 15 Member States supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).  

The meeting aimed at strengthening the dialogue on migration management and security-related issues in the region. It was also an opportunity for ministers across the region to discuss regional border management, the validation of policy documents and strategies regarding free movement and migration, the implications, challenges and solutions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and the update of the ECOWAS Common Position on Migration, a framework that defines a common regional approach to migration.

“Our region has been experiencing various types of migration with its effects seen in population pressure, poverty, poor economic performance and endemic conflict,” said Téi Konzi, ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement. “It is critical to analyse the current migration policies to identify the challenges prohibiting free movement and mobility and ensure regional integration and development,” he added.

“As the world deals with a global pandemic, it is only through a concerted approach and common engagement that the rights of migrants and people on the move are reaffirmed and protected. Similarly, only a tailored and coordinated answer to this situation can help strengthen the facilitation, governance and management of migration throughout the region,” said Aissata Kane, IOM Senior Regional Advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa.

IOM has supported the ECOWAS Commission in establishing a regional consultative process, such as MIDWA, since 2000. Through the FMM West Africa project, the Organization has supported the formalization of MIDWA itself since 2014.

Besides the participation of the ECOWAS Ministers, the meeting was also attended by representatives from the MIDWA Secretariat, ECOWAS Parliament, Court of Justice and National Units, European Union, Swiss Embassy, IOM, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The meeting was part of the European Union and ECOWAS Commission jointly funded project, “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa” (FMM West Africa).

For more information, please contact:

The FMM West Africa Project, Email: info@fmmwestafrica.org, Tel: +234 906 242 1085