ECOWAS Urges Member States to Enhance West African Border Governance

The Economic Community of West African States called for enhanced cooperation among member states to improve border governance and facilitate the free movement of people across West Africa. The initiative follows the Third Meeting of Heads of National Boundary Commissions held in The Gambia from October 6 to 8, 2026.

Participants, including representatives from the African Union and the German Agency for International Cooperation, focused on balancing regional mobility with effective border management to prevent disputes and promote economic interaction. The meeting reviewed the ECOWAS Cross-Border Support Program for 2023–2027 and emphasized the need to accelerate boundary delimitation and demarcation.

Major General Cheikhou M.L.B. Camara of Senegal urged member states to treat borders as zones for collective security and development rather than simple territorial dividing lines. Alieu Njie, Chairperson of The Gambia National Boundary Commission, stated that effective boundary governance is essential to regional integration, while Albert Siaw-Boateng emphasized the necessity of balancing free movement with security management.