Immigration and Citizenship Agency Attends IGAD Learning Mission on Free Movement and Migration Governance in ECOWAS Region

Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) recently sent a delegation to attend an IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) learning mission on free movement and migration governance in Abuja, Nigeria. The mission provided an opportunity for the Somali officers to learn from the experiences of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in implementing regional free movement protocols.

During the mission, the ICA Officials engaged with their counterparts from across the ECOWAS region to discuss best practices and explore opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation on migration management. The discussions focused on Somalia’s approach to implementing free movement protocols, as well as its strategies for governing labor migration and transhumance (the seasonal movement of people with their livestock).

The mission is part of IGAD’s broader initiative to promote free movement and improve migration management within the Horn of Africa region. It aligns with Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its immigration systems and enhance cross-border cooperation, as outlined in the country’s National Development Plan.