Security Challenges and the Implementation of Ecowas Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods between Nigeria and Niger Republic

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Date
2021-07-02
Authors
HUDU, Zaratou YUSUF, Hamza A. IDRIS, Musa ISA, Kabir M.
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Abstract
After many years of signing the Treaty I, establishing the ECOWAS as a regional body, the overall objective of promoting cooperation and integration remains consistently elusive. Article 27 of the ECOWAS Treaty affirms a long-term objective of establishing a Community citizenship that could be acquired automatically by all nationals of the member states. This reinforces the preamble to the treaty that outlined the key objective of removing obstacles to the free movement of goods, capital and people in the sub-region. This paper specifically identified the nature or manifestations of the security challenges in the implementation of ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons and goods; it also examined the implications of the security challenges on the free movement of persons and goods along Nigeria and Niger Republic borders. Data for the paper were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Interview was conducted with some border personnel and crossers along Ilella-Konni and Katsina-Jibiya borders. The article on ECOWAS protocol for free movement of persons and goods and documents from Niger-Nigeria Joint Commission of Cooperation as well as related articles were used as secondary source. The data were analysed thematically using content analysis. The paper revealed that banditry, insurgency (Boko Haram/ISWAP), trafficking, armed robbery and other related crimes affected the implementation of the protocol on free movement of goods along Nigeria and Niger Republic borders of Katsina-Jibiya and Ilella-Konni. These security challenges cause delay and harassment of crossers amidst rigorous screening exercise and in some instance, there were extortions of travellers/crossers by some border personnel. The study recommends among others the need for bilateral and multilateral security efforts, at the sub-regional and regional level to confront the security challenges affecting the regional integration.
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Department of Public Administration Department of Local Government & Development Studies 1,2,3'4 Faculty of Administration Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
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