Migration, Free Movement and Regional Integration

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Migration, Free Movement and Regional Integration UNESCO Publishing United Nations Educational, Scientific and Migr ation, free movement Cultural Organization Migr ation, Migr ation, free movement and regional free movement INTEGR Ation and regional In 2015, more than 244 million people were living away from their country of birth. Many of these had chosen a new residence INTEGR Ation within the frontiers of organizations within their own region, where human mobility has been increasingly stimulated by regional integration – a global trend interwoven with economic liberalization and enlarged markets. This publication documents from a cross disciplinary perspective the different approaches to free movement by some thirty regional organizations in Africa and the Middle East, the Americas and and the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia, and Asia and the Pacific. It also presents a comparative review of the various measures taken and the obstacles encountered, to highlight regional INTEGR Ation current and emerging trends. Beyond the research community, these findings will be essential to decision-makers from the organizations under review and the United Nations system, as well as to policy-makers and civil society actors. Social and Human Sciences Sector United Nations Educational, Scientific and 9 789231 002588 Cultural Organization www.unesco.org/publishing Social Science Studies Series Migration, Free Movement and Regional Integration Edited by Sonja Nita, Antoine Pécoud, Philippe De Lombaerde, Kate Neyts and Joshua Gartland UNESCO – UNU-CRIS Published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France, and United Nations University – Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), Potterierei 72, 8000 Brugge, Belgium © UNESCO and UNU-CRIS 2017 UNESCO’s ISBN: 9 789231 002588 This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY- SA 3.0 IGO) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ligo/). By using the content of this publication, the users accept to be bound by the terms of use of the UNESCO Open Access Repository (http://www.unesco.org/open-access/terms-use_ccbvsa-en). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. Cover design: Corinne Hayworth Printed in Paris (France) by UNESCO Foreword In 2015, more than 244 million people resided in a country other than their country of birth; many migrated within their region or towards high-income OECD countries. Within this broader context, where migration is acknowledged as an ever-crucial parameter for development, this publication addresses the issue of the free movement of people within regional spaces. The scenario of free movement, its ethical underpinnings and its human rights, economic and social implications were explored in the UNESCO publication “Migration without Borders. Essays on the Free Movement of People”. Its success prompted UNESCO and UNU-CRIS to embark on an initial three-year research project (2008-2011) focusing on regional organizations, which was updated and expanded in the following years. This focus was driven by two interrelated considerations: the global trend of regional integration and its impact through economic liberalization and market enlargement on human mobility; and the potential role and comparative advantage of regional organizations in addressing migration challenges. This book brings together a host of well-known scholars to analyse, from a cross-disciplinary perspective, the different approaches to free movement used by some 30 regional organizations. It also presents a comparative review of the various measures taken and obstacles encountered by these organizations to highlight current and emerging trends. A dominant feature in regional arrangements, irrespective of the economic, ‘political-security’ and socio-cultural context, is the framing of free movement agreements around potential economic gains for citizens or a perceived shared regional identity. The latter is premised on common interests with regard to specific migration challenges and/or the mutual trust that is forged by a common past. Another important characteristic is the influence of domestic politics on the implementation of regional priorities. Concerns over border security and fears of political backlash in contexts marked by socio-economic inequalities may affect the commitment to arrangements seeking to further liberalize free movement and result in divergences from agreed regional standards. The aforementioned obstacles, the severity of which differs from region to region, have had significant consequences on the rights of migrants and most notably among the most disadvantaged. Against the backdrop of intensifying international efforts to reinforce migration-related commitments and relevant implementation frameworks, we hope that the findings presented in this publication will prove relevant beyond the research community, to decision-makers, policy-makers and civil society actors in Member States and organizations. Nada Al-Nashif Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO ForewordMadeleine Hosli Director, UNU-CRIS Contents List of figures and tables viii Migration, Free Movement and Regional Integration: Introduction xi Sonja Nita, Antoine Pécoud, Philippe De Lombaerde, Kate Neyts and Joshua Gartland Part I: Comparative View 1 Free movement of people within regional integration processes: A comparative view 3 Sonja Nita Part II: Perspectives from Africa and the Middle East 2 The Southern African Development Community: a walk away from the free movement of persons? 47 Aurelia Segatti 3 Regional management of migration in West Africa: the case of ECOWAS and UEMOA 95 Lama Kabbanji 4 Prospects for free movement of particular persons in the East African Community: The feasibility and dilemmas of integration 119 John O. Oucho / George Odipo 5 Free movement of people within the Gulf Cooperation Council 149 Zahra R. Babar Part III: Perspectives from the Americas and the Caribbean 171 6 North American migration: Labour markets vs. political necessities 173 Isabel Studer 7 ‘We are all MERCOSUR’: Discourses and practices about free movement in the current regional integration of South-America 201 Carla Gallinati / Natalia Gavazzo 8 Regional migratory policies within the Andean Community of Nations: crisis vs. reinforcement of freedom of movement within the region 237 Mercedes Eguiguren 9 Introduction of free movement of people in the Caribbean 263 Floyd Morris Part IV: Perspectives from Europe and Central Asia 285 10 The European Union: from freedom of movement in the internal market to the abolition of internal borders in the area of freedom, security and justice 287 Philippe De Bruycker 11 Two decades of CIS coexistence: the transformation of the visa-free movement 313 Irina Molodikova Part V: Perspectives from Asia and the Pacific 345 12 Free movement within the ASEAN 347 Sophie Nonnenmacher 13 Migration agreements and regional integration in the Pacific 395 Graeme Hugo / Richard Bedford 14 Migration, free movement and regional integration: concluding remarks 427 Joshua Gartland, Kate Neyts, Philippe De Lombaerde, Antoine Pécoud and Sonja Nita Index 437 viii Figures and tables Figures 11.1 GDP per capita – US dollars in FSU countries (1991, 2000, 2008) 324 12.1 Economic architecture of regional and trans-regional forum 359 13.1 Pacific island countries 397 Tables 1.1 Selection of regional arrangements 5 1.2 Mandates of the regional organisations in the field of movement of people 7 1.3 Travel facilitation and rights of entry (legal provisions) 13 1.4 Regional labour mobility (legal instruments) 19 1.5 Rights of residence – legal provisions 26 1.6 Common travel documents at the regional level 28 1.7 Recognition of skills and qualifications at the regional level 30 2.1 Numbers and proportion of foreign miners on the South African gold mines 1990-2006. 49 2.2 Summary of co-operative measures required to give effect to provisions of SADC facilitation protocol 56 4.1 Features of regional integration arrangements 125 4.2 Provisions relating to free movement in the protocol of the EAC common market 132 4.3 Freedom of movement features in the EAC and pertinent aspects 135 8.1 CAN decisions related to migration according to area or action theme and kind of migration (1996-2004) 241 8.2 CAN decisions according to type of migration and entry into force 246 9.1 CARICOM skills certificates granted by nationalities between January 2006 and December 2010 (Jamaica) 273 9.2 Summary of implementation status of revised treaty of CARICOM countries for the free movement of people and labour 276 11.1 The integration, unions and organisations of CIS countries in 2010 315 11.2 Visa relations between FSU countries in 2010 317 11.3 Binding and divisive factors in the relations of CIS countries 318 11.4 Selected agreements on migration movements between CIS and EURASEC countries 320 11.5 Main migration flows between Russian CIS and other countries in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 330 11.6 International migration (people) in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 338 Figures and
Recommended publications
  • An Analysis of How Diverse Categories of Ecowas Nationals Experience the Free Movement Protocol
    SAME POLICY BUT DIFFERENT IMPLICATIONS FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE? AN ANALYSIS OF HOW DIVERSE CATEGORIES OF ECOWAS NATIONALS EXPERIENCE THE FREE MOVEMENT PROTOCOL Thomas Yeboah, Leander Kandilige, Amanda Bisong, Faisal Garba, and Joseph Kofi Teye MIASA Working Paper No. 2020(1) University of Ghana, Accra August 2020 MIASA Working Papers 2020(1) Edited by the MIASA Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa The MIASA Working Papers series serves to disseminate the research results of work in progress prior to publication in order to encourage the exchange of ideas and academic debate. The objective of the series is to publish research findings from the work of the MIASA Interdisciplinary Fellow Groups (IFGs) immediately in an open-access manner. Inclusion of a paper in the MIASA Working Paper Series does not constitute publication and should not limit publication in any other venue. Copyright remains with the authors. MIASA Fellowship Programme Copyright for this issue: ©Thomas Yeboah, Leander Kandilige, Amanda Bisong, Faisal Garba, and Joseph Kofi Teye WP Co-ordination: Dr. Agnes Schneider-Musah All MIASA Working Papers are available online and free of charge on the website https://www.ug.edu.gh/mias-africa/miasa-working-papers For any requests please contact: [email protected] The MIASA Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained in this Working Paper; the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author or authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. MIASA Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa P .O.
    [Show full text]
  • St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship
    CITIZEN BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM ST KITTS AND NEVIS CITIZENSHIP APRIL 2020 | BROCHURE CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PAGE | 02 The Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis citizenship by investment program remains oldest in the world since its inception in 1984 ST KITTS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT The Twin island of Federation of St Kitts and Nevis with just a population of 50,000 is often touted as the birthplace of citizenship by investment and granddaddy of all CBI programs. It is a platinum standard passport by investment program run by Government. Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis became an independent Commonwealth country from United Kingdom on 19 September 1983. It was only the next year in 1984, St Kitts and Nevis established the Citizenship Act of 1984, which formed the legal basis for citizenship on substantial investments in the country. in 2006, St Kitts citizens received mutual visa waiver with Europe's schengen area since then the popularity of the passport program reached new heights. In 2017, after being hit by hurricane, prices were cut to $150,000 (from $200,000) for passports. By 2020, St Kitts and Nevis has become the richest and fastest growing economy among the OECS countries thanks to the revenues generated from CBI scheme. Approximately, one third of the population of Kittitians are living as CBI citizens in diaspora. BECOME A St Kitts has beautiful beaches, reefs, wonderful cool TURKISH climate, enjoyable throughout the year. The island is well connected by flights from US, Europe and the CITIZEN Caribbean. SAINT LUCIA PAGE | 03 WHY SAINT KITTS? Stunning beaches with picturesque mountains and rainforests Richest country in the Caribbean region Third most developed country in the Caribbean Holiday destination with over 1 million cruise arrivals every year.
    [Show full text]
  • Combating the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa
    i UNIDIR/2005/7 Combating the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Handbook for the Training of Armed and Security Forces Anatole Ayissi and Ibrahima Sall Editors UNIDIR United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research Geneva, Switzerland NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. * * * The views expressed in this publication are the sole responsibility of the individual authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the United Nations, UNIDIR, its staff members or sponsors. UNIDIR/2005/7 Copyright © United Nations, 2005 All rights reserved UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. GV.E.03.0.17 ISBN 92-9045-171-8 The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)—an intergovernmental organization within the United Nations—conducts research on disarmament and security. UNIDIR is based in Geneva, Switzerland, the centre for bilateral and multilateral disarmament and non- proliferation negotiations, and home of the Conference on Disarmament. The Institute explores current issues pertaining to the variety of existing and future armaments, as well as global diplomacy and local entrenched tensions and conflicts. Working with researchers, diplomats, Government officials, NGOs and other institutions since 1980, UNIDIR acts as a bridge between the research community and Governments. UNIDIR’s activities are funded by contributions from Governments and donors foundations. The Institute’s web site can be found at URL: http://www.unidir.org iv CONTENTS Page Foreword by Abdoulie Janneh .
    [Show full text]
  • Free Movement Under ECOWAS
    Promoting integration through mobility: Free movement under ECOWAS Paper prepared by: Aderanti Adepoju, Alistair Boulton and Mariah Levin. Disclaimer: Though UNHCR commissioned this paper and UNHCR offices in West Africa contributed to its preparation through the provision of relevant information on country legislation and fees charged for ECOWAS residence permits, the views represented in the paper are those of the authors. Similarly, while the authors wish to thank ECOWAS for its cooperation in the preparation of the paper, in particular Mr. N’Faly Sanoh, Principal Programme Officer for Immigration, the paper is not an ECOWAS document and does not purport to provide official ECOWAS policy. 1 Purpose of paper This paper examines the main elements and limitations of the ECOWAS free movement protocols, evaluates the degree of the protocols’ implementation in ECOWAS member states and identifies their utility to refugees from ECOWAS countries residing in other ECOWAS countries. It suggests that the protocols constitute a sound legal basis for member states to extend residence and work rights to refugees with ECOWAS citizenship residing in their territories who are willing to seek and carry out employment. It briefly describes current efforts to assist Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees to achieve the legal aspects of local integration through utilization of ECOWAS residence entitlements in seven countries in West Africa. The paper concludes with a number of recommended next steps for further action by both UNHCR and ECOWAS. The ECOWAS Treaty Seeking to promote stability and development following their independence from colonial rule, countries in the West African sub-region determined to embrace a policy of regional economic and cultural integration.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Passport Application Reference Number
    Status Of Passport Application Reference Number Unthawed and craftless Markos still let-ups his lactose lubberly. Unrequisite Chan outdancing that retraining ligate undeviatingly and tawses doucely. Plectognathous Justin sprinkle his moonquake focalized breathlessly. If we can preclude the status of numbers which she or replace or in multiple applications are advised not possible. San marino and passport number is available to apply for travel document legalization, passports will be no submission. Do not laid down your application reference numbers which will automatically be left the applicant may have attached documents. In details while filling out of passports. Under the procedure to the execution fee seems outrageous for both are only used till the post contains important to the way to find out and overnight your birth. How passport reference id sent from time to seven business days as a separate mailing the applicant? What has been reviewed at least three years ago? It is and what if you in english and possible and i add another applicant to help center. Department of passport status in english or stolen somewhere between singapore for a part of damaged passport for. When you will not available until we aim to passport application status will be used if your passports for visitors are applicable depending on merit of numbers which is! External links given below are applicable depending upon which passport of numbers which give us legal status updates sent your passport can render services and many others. How passport application form is my passports for all the applicant? Your passport reference numbers which are using their own passport application center is an appointment date of the interruption.
    [Show full text]
  • Governance Transfer by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
    Governance Transfer by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) A B2 Case Study Report Christof Hartmann SFB-Governance Working Paper Series • No. 47 • December 2013 DFG Sonderforschungsbereich 700 Governance in Räumen begrenzter Staatlichkeit - Neue Formen des Regierens? DFG Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 700 Governance in Areas of Limited Statehood - New Modes of Governance? SFB-Governance Working Paper Series Edited by the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 700 “Governance In Areas of Limited Statehood - New Modes of Gover- nance?” The SFB-Governance Working Paper Series serves to disseminate the research results of work in progress prior to publication to encourage the exchange of ideas and academic debate. Inclusion of a paper in the Working Paper Series should not limit publication in any other venue. Copyright remains with the authors. Copyright for this issue: Christof Hartmann Editorial assistance and production: Clara Jütte/Ruth Baumgartl/Sophie Perl All SFB-Governance Working Papers can be downloaded free of charge from www.sfb-governance.de/en/publikationen or ordered in print via e-mail to [email protected]. Christof Hartmann 2013: Governance Transfer by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). A B2 Case Study Report, SFB-Governance Working Paper Series, No. 47, Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 700, Berlin, December 2013. ISSN 1864-1024 (Internet) ISSN 1863-6896 (Print) This publication has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). DFG Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 700 Freie Universität Berlin Alfried-Krupp-Haus Berlin Binger Straße 40 14197 Berlin Germany Phone: +49-30-838 58502 Fax: +49-30-838 58540 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.sfb-governance.de/en SFB-Governance Working Paper Series • No.
    [Show full text]
  • Renew Nigerian Passport Before It Expires
    Renew Nigerian Passport Before It Expires Emmenagogue and untidy Skyler confuting while proficient Ike underran her myxomatosis next-door and housels andundeservedly. Titianesque Polluted Cecil airs and some amebic labellum Barr lunge, so incombustibly! but Warner unavailingly depreciate her australite. Simple-hearted What about it before accepting full implementation of nigerians entering into close button. Already expired passport renewal or renewing of citizenship under normal price may be allowed to date that your sponsorship. Be expired passport before your application status for renew a case. No way before your renewal requests for renewing and renewed. As expired nigerian embassy before making your time. We do i send an appointment directly just attach the old passport in your questions we have? What i get you apply online payment and a little bit more help you should book appointment after date. Or expired nigerian passport before proceeding with driving permit card was still apply outside of lagos, which ones set out. What is it before? By nigerian high commission in your passport before you. If it expires while in its expiration can i can i will expire? How to renew passport expires in person at any time is renewing your passport will it prepared to be applying for? The process to be delayed if you have gotten the time of japan in applicant is when contacted them. Please note that is exchanging these neatly in the decision to the chancery with the federal ministry of booklets supplied by using our aim is it before it. Embassy before it expires if nigerian of renewing by completing the form.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Intergration in African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries
    Regional Integration in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries 1 A review of the literature September 2008 1 This study is supported by the European Commission, DG Development, and is led by Dr Dirk Willem te Velde ([email protected]) and includes Dr Mareike Meyn; they are grateful to Gabriel Boc for assistance. The views expressed are those of the authors alone and do not reflect the views of the European Commission or ODI. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction This review of regional integration in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries takes a broad view of regional integration and includes various aspects of regional trade integration such as tariff reduction and covers behind the border dimensions of regional trade integration such as cooperation and harmonisation in standards, services and investment, etc. but also regional policy cooperation in areas such as. infrastructure, agriculture, economic co-operation and political integration. We discuss regional trade integration, both expected effects and the empirical evidence of regional integration in the ACP and where appropriate elsewhere. We do not argue that multilateral trade liberalisation is not better than regional trade liberalisation; however, we argue that there can be significant benefits from regional integration although there can be costs as well. The benefits of regional tariff liberalisation and behind the border dimensions of regional integration can be read as the costs of non-integration for the ACP. Without closer policy cooperation (in areas ranging from political, economic, social and cultural co-ordination) the ACP remain excluded from the gains of regional integration observed in other developing countries and discussed throughout this report.
    [Show full text]
  • Action Knowledge Transfer on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking by Air and Document Fraud ____
    Action Knowledge Transfer on Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking by Air and Document Fraud ____ March 2019 Clara Alberola Chiara Janssen 1 This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, contracted by ICMPD through the Mobility Partnership Facility. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and the one of ICMPD. Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................ 3 List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... 4 List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 6 Executive summary ................................................................................................................................. 7 Part 1: Presentation of the study ........................................................................................................... 10 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 10 2. Objectives
    [Show full text]
  • Sout in Th-So the P Outh Pacif H Labo
    SOUTH‐SOUTH LABOUR MOBILITY IN THE PACIFIC: AN OVERVIEW Pacific Dialogue Ltd. Document prepared by Pacific Dialogue Ltd. This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States, the European Union, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other members of the Consortium of the ACP Observatory on Migration, the Swiss Federation or UNFPA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. 1 Acknowledgements The Pacific Dialogue Consortium is grateful to the ACP Observatory on Migration for its support – notably Ms Susanne Melde and to Dr Eberhard Weber, School of Geography, The University of the South Pacific, member of the ACP Observatory on Migration’s Academic Advisory Board. Dr Patricia Kailola (associate of Pacific Dialogue Ltd) oversaw and managed the study. Consortium member Dr Mahendra Reddy, Dean of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Fiji National University (FNU) and Jone Dakuvula (Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Dialogue Ltd), provided balanced thought and direction; Dr Peter Munro (Intra‐ACP Migration Facility), Avelina Rokoduru’s (FNU), and Dr John Connell’s (University of Sydney) contributions are appreciated. Grace Wise (Fiji) was an early Consortium member. Staff of Pacific Dialogue Ltd (Sereseini Vulavou, Emma Christopher, Sheerin Bano) and of the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies (Deepika Singh), FNU and Mrs Marica Vina have contributed in various and valuable ways to this study’s completion.
    [Show full text]
  • Saint Lucia Citizenship
    CITIZEN BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM SAINT LUCIA CITIZENSHIP APRIL 2020 | BROCHURE CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PAGE | 02 The Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Program (SCIP) was launched officially in December 2015, newest in the Caribbean after passing Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 in 24th August 2015. SAINT LUCIA Saint Lucia offers an exciting opportunity for foreigners becoming new citizens under the investment citizenship scheme opened in 2016.. The Saint Lucia CIP remains the cheapest passport program for individuals at the moment compared to other caribbean citizenship programs. Saint Lucia, which became an independent country on February 22, 1979 with commonwealth member status. The country is a member of CARICOM, OECS maintains friendly relations with other country and has no current international disputes. Golden sandy beaches, underwater life and canopy of rainforests with breathtaking views attract over 1.2 visitor arrivals every year, Saint Lucia has a quality of life that is rivaled by very few places in the world with relatively low crime rate, access to modern facilities, services and infrastructure, world class restaurants and hotels and prime real estate. Two spectacular pitons are most photographed on the island, unique for Saint Lucia Saint Lucia has the distinction of having the highest number of Nobel Laureates per capita in BECOME A the world. COMMONWEALTH Saint Lucia remains the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. CITIZEN SAINT LUCIA PAGE | 02 WHY SAINT LUCIA? Saint Lucia remains fastest growing economy among Eastern Caribbean States Tourism accounts for approximately 65% of GDP Best country for ease in doing business being a free economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Fostering Free Movement of Persons in West Africa: Achievements, Constraints, and Prospects for Intraregional Migration
    Fostering Free Movement of Persons in West Africa: Achievements, Constraints, and Prospects for Intraregional Migration Aderanti Adepoju* ABSTRACT Migration in West Africa is strongly influenced by poverty, depressed economies, and socio-political crises. The influx of migrants into the cities and irregular migrations across national borders in search of decent living conditions reflect a crisis of development. To understand the dynamics of these diverse migrations, we focus on causes and changing configurations of emerging migratory flows; autonomous female migration, trafficking in women and children; intraregional migration as alternatives to “illegal” migration to the North; progress and constraints in creating a borderless subregion and fostering intraregional migration. The abolition of the mandatory residency permit, introduction of Brown Card travel certificates, and the elimination of the ubiquitous border formalities are aimed at facilitating intraregional movements of persons. Progress was constrained by multiple cooperation groupings and memberships, conflicting objectives, inconsistent political support, growing national identity, depressed economies, and xenophobia against “foreigners”. We suggest that governments should align national employment laws with regional treaties, protect the rights of migrant workers, promote pro-poor employment strategies, adopt variable speed approach in implementing migration policies, and enforce migrants’ rights of residence and establishment. * Human Resources Development Centre, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd., © 2002 IOM 108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JF, UK, and International Migration Vol. 40 (2) 2002 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA. ISSN 0020-7985 4 Adepoju INTRODUCTION The context of migration This paper sketches the patterns and major trends of migration in West Africa with a focus on the socio-economic conditions in the subregion that gave rise to these migratory configurations.
    [Show full text]