The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has tasked the ECOWAS Parliament 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 ongoing Second Session of the Parliament on Thursday, December 8th.
In a presentation, IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Christopher Gascon 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.
IOM noted that 83% of all international migrants within the ECOWAS region originate from West African countries. This underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing migration issues.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed the challenges faced by migrants in West Africa, including climate change, insecurity, insurgency, terrorism, limited employment opportunities, and inadequate social security systems.
Despite these challenges, IOM emphasised the potential of migration to contribute to the development of West Africa. Migrants can send remittances back home, which can stimulate local economies. They can also bring new skills and knowledge to their countries of origin and promote cultural exchange.
In response to these 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:Â 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.
Responding, the First Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who presided over the meeting commended IOM for its untiring efforts, saying that the awareness of the Parliamentarians have been enriched by the presentation.
The meeting between IOM and the ECOWAS Parliament marks a significant step towards strengthening regional cooperation on migration management. By working together, governments, international organisations, and civil society can ensure that migration is a positive force for development in West Africa.
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