Abstract

This study examines the crisis of migration and forced displacement in the context of conflicts in West Africa, by analyzing the impact of conflicts and security crises on population movements, while considering their interaction with economic, social, and environmental factors. It aims to assess the capacity of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop a regional response to this crisis. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, a legal approach, and a case-study approach. It finds that conflicts and insecurity are the main drivers of forced displacement, while economic vulnerability and climate-related pressures exacerbate their effects. The study also highlights the importance of the ECOWAS legal and institutional framework, particularly the 1979 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration. However, the effectiveness of the regional response remains constrained by implementation gaps, persistent security and political challenges, and transformations within the regional system. The study concludes that an integrated approach is needed, combining free movement, humanitarian protection, conflict prevention, border management, and early-warning mechanisms.

Keywords

Migration; Forced Displacement; Conflicts; West Africa; Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); Free Movement; Regional Security; Humanitarian Protection.