Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta has advised ECOWAS member states to ensure that the national laws are harmonized with regional commitments.
Jatta gave the advise 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 in Banjul, The Gambia.
He said that the ECOWAS laws were necessary to facilitate free movement of people across the sub-region borders rather than hinder it.
He asserted that the free movement of persons, rights of residence and establishment were fundamental to the vision of a united peaceful and prosperous community
The Speaker of the Gambian National Assembly underscored the need to provide robust oversight in order to guarantee compliance, and advocate tirelessly for the rights and welfare of all ECOWAS citizens.
He charged the parliamentarians to channel their energy towards resolutions that will allow member states consider harmonizing national laws with regional commitments..
This he said, involves 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 recognize the numerous challenges that have impeded the full realization 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 the 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.
“The free movement of persons, right of residence, and establishment are fundamental to our vision of a united, peaceful, and prosperous Community. As parliamentarians, we have a crucial role to play in making this vision a reality.
” 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. Without any shred of doubt,
“I am confident that, together, we can overcome the challenges before us and pave the way for a more integrated, peaceful, and prosperous ECOWAS region.
“Many citizens encounter bureaucratic hurdles that impede their travel. Frequent changes in immigration rules, and a lack of clear information are common complaints.
“These barriers not only frustrate individuals but also undermine the spirit of regional integration. Security concerns present another significant challenge.
The 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 immunity where individuals can move freely establish businesses and reside across member states without unnecessary restrictions.
He noted that the vision does not only promote economic growth and development but also foster greater cultural and social integration among the citizens.
According to him, the Gambia strongly recognizes its nation’s development blueprint which focused on national development planning 2023-2027.
“The government.of the Gambia through my ministry has consistently demonstrated commitment to the implementation of ECOWAS brown cards for motor insurance. The ECOWAS biometry passport and identity of cards with the potential to improve the free movement of persons, rights of residence and establishment in the Gambia.
“My ministry closely collaborates with the Gambia immigration department and ECOWAS brown card insurance bureau to sensitive and create awareness about the free movement protocol throughout the country every year.
“The parliament is not only relevant in making protocols but they are important in the implementation of the protocols as they are peoples Representatives with much closer relationships with them.
“It is therefore crucial for parliament’s involvement in the implementation of the protocols and its supplement protcols to attend the objectives of this particular protocol.” Joof said.
He urged the ECOWAS parliament to enhance its Legislative support in translating the protocols objectives into national legislation, adding that Legislative bodies must work diligently to harmonies national laws with the protocols provisions to ensure the.highly framework support and facilitate the free movement of persons,rights of residence and establishment.
