LUNGI — West African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the free movement of persons and goods, while warning that uncoordinated trade agreements by member states could undermine regional integration.
The position was outlined at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, where leaders reviewed key developments affecting regional cooperation.
In the final communiqué issued after the summit, the Authority described free movement as a cornerstone of ECOWAS integration and one of its most significant achievements.
“The Authority reaffirms its commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment,” the statement said.
Leaders stressed the need to preserve and strengthen the gains made under the protocol, noting its role in promoting cross-border trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people relations across the region.
The Authority also underscored the importance of ongoing engagements with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), saying such efforts should help safeguard regional mobility and economic exchanges.
However, ECOWAS raised concerns over the growing trend of individual member states entering bilateral trade agreements that may conflict with the bloc’s collective framework.
“The proliferation of bilateral trade agreements risks undermining the ECOWAS Customs Union,” the communiqué warned.
Leaders called on member states to avoid agreements that are inconsistent with their obligations under the ECOWAS Revised Treaty.
To address this, the Authority directed the ECOWAS Commission to coordinate common regional positions in international trade negotiations to protect the bloc’s collective interests.
Analysts say the dual stance reflects ECOWAS’ effort to balance openness with policy coherence as it seeks deeper economic integration.
The leaders reiterated that preserving free movement and aligning trade policies remain essential to unlocking growth and strengthening unity across West Africa.
