TOGO: When the free movement of people is just a mirage in the ECOWAS zone
In the current context of globalisation, freedom of movement is an essential instrument for regional integration policies throughout the world, but ECOWAS is still a pipe dream.
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has just expelled several dozen foreign Africans, including Togolese, living illegally in this state in the south-west of the country. The illegal migrants were apprehended during an operation in the Ibafo and Sagamu areas. Among them, one Burkinabè and 33 Togolese were arrested.
The authorities of Ogun State state that these illegal migrants pose a threat to national security and that they will all be repatriated to their countries of origin after appropriate consultations with the authorities of those countries.
When ECOWAS was set up, its main objective was to promote cooperation and integration in the economic, social and cultural fields with a view to achieving economic and monetary union through the total integration of the economies of the Member States. Achieving such an objective requires freedom of movement for the citizens of the West African region. But the current situation shows that we are a long way from achieving this ambition. In every country in West Africa, there will always be citizens from other countries in the area who are in an irregular situation. Admittedly, security is a challenge for the sub-region, but that doesn’t mean that states are going to indulge in xenophobic acts.
ECOWAS member states need to take a serious look at this issue if it is not to lead to something else.
