ECOWAS Parliament Advocates for Elimination of Residence Permit System; Give Reasons
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has proposed the elimination of the residence permit system. This recommendation came from various committees, including those on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and the African Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP), during their recent draft report after sessions held in Banjul, The Gambia.
Introduced in May 1975 as part of the ECOWAS Treaty, the residence permit system, or ECOWAS Residence Card, was designed to facilitate economic integration and the free movement of people within the West African region. It allows citizens from member countries to live in another ECOWAS state for extended periods for business, employment, or personal reasons.
However, the committees have determined that the current permit system obstructs the free movement of goods and individuals. They have recommended its abolition to align with the goals of the ECOWAS Treaty. The draft report, which will be reviewed in plenary for approval, underscores the need to remove this barrier to enhance regional integration and mob
ility.
