Political will and National Interest in the Implementation of Ecowas Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods between Nigeria and Niger Republic

Abstract

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. 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. This paper specifically identified the factors that  necessitated the measures taken by the Nigerian government against the ECOWAS protocol on free  movement of persons and goods; it also examined the socio-economic implications of the measures  on the relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic. Data for the paper were gathered from  both primary and secondary sources. Interview was conducted with former president of Niger who  was also a member of ECOWAS task force and some border personnel along Ilella-Konni and  Katsina-Jibiya borders. The article on ECOWAS protocol for free movement of persons and goods,  documents from Niger-Nigeria Joint Commission of Cooperation and other related documents were  used as secondary source. The data were analysed thematically using content analysis. The paper  revealed that the decision of the Nigerian government to restrict the free movement of goods along  Nigeria and Niger Republic border was due to the intention of Buhari regime to avoid illegal entry  of re-exported goods on transit, that cross African countries, especially Niger Republic and other  socio-economic motives. However, the decision has multiplier effects on the relationship between  Nigeria and Niger Republic. The study recommends among others the need for multilateral  dialogue, at the sub-regional and regional level for all affected parties to present and iron issues or  measures rather than resort to unilateral decision that could breach international protocol that  eventually affects regional integration.