Migration policies in the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, a regional space in crisis. Through the lens of sovereignty

Delphine Perrin

doi:10.6018/reg.669611

Authors

Delphine Perrin IRD French national Research Institute for sustainable Development

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/reg.669611

Keywords: ECOWAS, Mobility, Migration, West Africa, Sovereignty

Abstract

A regional organization cited as a model in Africa, ECOWAS (Economic Community Of West African States) has made the free movement of people the heart of integration between its 15 member States. This model is now in crisis. Not only because three of its members have decided to leave. It is in crisis because the law and policies it has developed to guarantee free movement and free residence has been little known and little respected, under the influence of sovereignties. While it has been appropriated by citizens, the right to mobility (and migration) is weakly protected and proves to be precarious.

ECOWAS is also an area subject to the cross-influences of external actors who have led for 10 to 20 years to orienting migration policies towards greater control of people and prevention of migration. It has resulted in weakening mobility rights. In addition, nationalism has been rising within the West African space, which finds its source in a desire for emancipation from the West but impacts intra-African relations, potentially including migration policies. The article explores the articulation of these three dynamics: 1/ a failing regional construction 2/ the impact of external influences 3/ the rise of nationalisms, in their relationship with intra-African migrations.

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