Stakeholders Meeting on the ECOWAS Cross-border Co-operation Programme

This meeting brought together the main cross-border co-operation actors active within the ECOWAS region to discuss next steps and priority actions of the ECOWAS Cross-border Co-operation Programme. As highlighted by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs, Industries, Mines and Free Movement, Mr. El Hadj Mohamed Daramy, cross-border co-operation could contribute to the achievement of a borderless ECOWAS based on sharing of socio-cultural values among the communities living across the West African borders. Discussions focused on:

• Institutional and legal framework for cross-border co-operation, and
• Finance resource mobilisation and partnerships.

The Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (SWAC) has facilitated the establishment and development of the ECOWAS cross-border co-operation initiatives programme since its inception.

Recommendations

Institutional and legal framework for cross-border co-operation

• Cross-border Steering Committees shall be established at zonal, national and regional level to ensure better monitoring of the cross-border co-operation programme;
• Networks such as the West Afrian Borders and Integration Initiative (WABI) need to be strengthened; 
• ECOWAS should provide political, technical and financial support for the implementation of cross-border projects;
• The Cross-border Initiatives Programme (CIP) should be included within priorities of community development programmes;
• Financial partners should be encouraged to include cross-border co-operation in their initiatives;
• Member states should promote exchange programmes through twinning and other co-operative work;
• A Community legal framework on cross-border co-operation should be adopted;
• Member states should be strongly involved in the implementation of cross-border co-operation actions in their areas.

Mobilisation of Financial Resources & Partnerships

Short-term recommendations:

• Cross-border co-operation should be integrated in the priorities of the EU-ECOWAS roadmap (currently being negotiated);
• ECOWAS should undertake political advocacy to promote cross-border co-operation with the member states;
• A study on the speedy implementation of financing mechanisms for cross-border initiatives;
• ECOWAS should finance existingcross-border co-operation project through already available dedicated funds (Peace Fund, Spain fund ,etc.);
• ECOWAS should facilitate the provision of funds through tripartite agreements;
• ECOWAS should formalise its proposed allocationof cross-border co-operation support funds through the member states with effect from 2010.

   > Final Report

Participants

• Country Representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo
• Regional and international organisations/institutions: African Union Commission,  Enda-Diapol, European Union, Nigero-Nigerian Joint Commission, OCAL, PDM, Spain, SWAC and UEMOA.
• Civil society representatives, local government authorities, technical partners and resource persons.

     Contacts:

      Relevant documents:

      Also Visit:

• Cross-border Pilot Operations
• WABI Network