ECOWAS says it is set to enhance efforts at curbing irregular
migration as well as the management of the internal and external
borders of West Africa.
This formed part of the aims of a just concluded two-day
workshop organised by the Migration Dialogue for West Africa Border
Management Working Group in Abuja.
Mr Tony Elumelu, ECOWAS Head of Division, Free Movement and
Migration said it was important to address the problem of irregular
migration holistically without criminalising it.
The ECOWAS representative further said that the effective
implementation of the ECOWAS protocols should not be taken with
levity.
He added that it was pertinent to have a task force to jointly
police the borders of West Africa with the rest of the world.
Mr Frantz Celestin, Programme Manager, International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) assured of the continuous support
of his organisation towards the Support to Free Movement of Persons
and Migration in West Africa (FMM) programme.
The workshop further reviewed previous recommendations and
presentations on regional dialogue on migration.
The meeting was expected to also finalise a Border Management
Manual aided by expert contributions from heads of training schools
and senior training personnel from member states.
The workshop was also organised ahead of the Heads of
Immigration meeting being convened to review and make
recommendations on the implementation of the Protocol of Free
Movement of Persons, migration management and regional data
sharing.
The commission institutionalised the Heads of Immigration
meeting after the successful hosting of the inaugural meeting by
the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja 2005.
ECOWAS says it is set to enhance efforts at curbing irregular
migration as well as the management of the internal and external
borders of West Africa.
This formed part of the aims of a just concluded two-day
workshop organised by the Migration Dialogue for West Africa Border
Management Working Group in Abuja.
Mr Tony Elumelu, ECOWAS Head of Division, Free Movement and
Migration said it was important to address the problem of irregular
migration holistically without criminalising it.
The ECOWAS representative further said that the effective
implementation of the ECOWAS protocols should not be taken with
levity.
He added that it was pertinent to have a task force to jointly
police the borders of West Africa with the rest of the world.
Mr Frantz Celestin, Programme Manager, International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) assured of the continuous support
of his organisation towards the Support to Free Movement of Persons
and Migration in West Africa (FMM) programme.
The workshop further reviewed previous recommendations and
presentations on regional dialogue on migration.
The meeting was expected to also finalise a Border Management
Manual aided by expert contributions from heads of training schools
and senior training personnel from member states.
The workshop was also organised ahead of the Heads of
Immigration meeting being convened to review and make
recommendations on the implementation of the Protocol of Free
Movement of Persons, migration management and regional data
sharing.
The commission institutionalised the Heads of Immigration
meeting after the successful hosting of the inaugural meeting by
the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja 2005.
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