Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The ECOWAS Parliament, under the Sixth Legislature, from 6 to 10 July 2026, will activate a Parliamentary
Citizen Engagement on the Dangers of Irregular Migration and Modern Slavery in Banjul, The Gambia, followed by a second phase in Dakar, Senegal, from 13 to, 17 July 2026. The citizen engagement, which has the slogan, one journey, many risks, ask first, move safely, brings members
of Parliament into direct contact with youth, returnees, community leaders, civil society organizations, and
citizens across both countries.
Irregular migration remains one of the most pressing socio-economic and human security challenges
confronting West Africa. Driven by unemployment, poverty, limited economic opportunities, insecurity
and aspirations for better livelihoods. Many young people undertake perilous migration journeys through unsafe land and maritime routes, exposing them to exploitation, trafficking in persons, forced labour, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, and other forms of modern slavery. The Gambia and Senegal are among the Member States affected as countries of origin, transit, and return.
The engagement seeks to sensitize young people and vulnerable communities on these risks, provide
Members of Parliament with first-hand insight into the drivers and consequences of irregular migration, promote dialogue between parliamentarians and citizens, and generate practical recommendations to
strengthen national and regional prevention, protection, and reintegration efforts.
The Gambia leg (6 to 10 July, Banjul)
Activities open with a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior and a stakeholder briefing involving the
ECOWAS Resident Representative, the Gambian Delegation to ECOWAS Parliament, IOM, and the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP). This is followed by community town hall engagements in Bakau (7 July), Brikama, Drumakolong Area (8 July), and Barra (9 July), each combining
local-language sensitization, testimonies from returnees and survivors, and open dialogue between
Members of Parliament and citizens. A community football event, Football for Awareness with the slogan:
One Journey, Many Risks. Ask First, Move Safely will be held in Bakau on 9 July to carry the same message through sport. The Gambia leg concludes with a debriefing session on 10 July to review findings and consolidate recommendations.
The Senegal leg (13 to 17 July, Dakar).
The Senegal phase will place emphasis on public sensitization and multi-stakeholder dialogue, engaging youth groups, students, community organizations, returnees, and public institutions in accessible public and community venues in and around Dakar. The detailed daily programme for Senegal will be communicated
separately closer to the engagement.
Both legs of the engagement will make use of open-air townhalls, interactive dialogue, question and answer
sessions, and radio, television, and community media outreach to maximize citizen participation and public ownership of the discussions.
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