ECOWAS Parliament has been tasked by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the need to enact laws and policies to address the challenges and harness the benefits of migration in West Africa.
This call came during a joint meeting between IOM and the ECOWAS Parliament at the Second Session of the Parliament on Thursday, December 8th.
During the meeting, IOM highlighted the complex nature of migration in the region, with 9.8 million international migrants residing in West and Central Africa. The majority of these migrants are based in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, with significant populations also present in Niger and Mali.
According to IOM 83% of all international migrants within the ECOWAS region originate from West African countries. This accentuate the reputation of regional cooperation in addressing migration issues.
Also discussed in the meeting is the challenges faced by migrants in West Africa, which includes climate change, insecurity, insurgency, terrorism, limited or no employment opportunities, and inadequate social security systems.
IOM notwithstanding emphasized the prospects of migration as contribute to the development of West Africa. Migrants remits money back home, which in return encourages local economies. They promote country cultural exchange and can also bring new skills and knowledge to their countries of origin.
Responding to the challenges and opportunities, IOM called on the ECOWAS Parliament to play a key role in enacting laws and policies that support effective migration management. This includes: Protecting the rights of all migrants: Regardless of their legal status, migrants should have access to basic services and be protected from exploitation and abuse.
Addressing the root causes of migration: Investing in education, job creation, and climate change mitigation can help to reduce the number of people forced to leave their homes. Facilitating safe and regular migration: This includes promoting legal pathways for migration and ensuring that migration processes are transparent and efficient.
Promoting orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration: This requires cooperation between countries of origin, transit, and destination to ensure that migration is managed in a way that benefits all parties involved.
The meeting of ECOWAS Parliament and International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a noteworthy move towards consolidating regional cooperation on effective migration management. Through a deliberate synergy between civil society, international organization and government at all level migration can be a positive force for development in ECOWAS sub-region.
