Facilitation of the free movement of persons and goods in the West African economic and monetary union area: The case of abnormal practices on member states' corridors

The free movement of people and goods is the key to integration into the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) area. The aim of this article is to analyse the mobility practices of people and goods on the corridors of the Member States of the Union, in relation to institutional reforms. The methodology adopted is based on the examination of the different theories that govern the analysis of integration issues, the observation of field practices and interviews with mobility actors in the WAEMU region. The results reveal real difficulties that affect the dynamics of free movement. Indeed, the union suffers from problems linked to insufficient implementation of reforms in the States. The effectiveness of freedom of movement, in that it should form the basis for the creation of the common market, is not entirely assured. Reforms are constantly undermined by illegal practices. In view of these difficulties, the Union must focus its efforts on taking strong measures to make the free movement of people and goods effective.