By : Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
A new civil society platform, the Liberia CSOs Coalition on Migration, has been officially launched in Monrovia, marking a significant step toward coordinated advocacy for safe, orderly, and dignified migration in Liberia.
The launch took place on December 18, 2025, coinciding with the observance of International Migration Day, underscoring the coalition’s commitment to advancing migration governance and protecting the rights of migrants.
The coalition is a consortium and network of civil society organizations working in the migration sector across Liberia.
Its mandate includes advocacy, public sensitization, research, outreach, capacity building, and data sharing, all aimed at promoting safe migration practices.
The group also seeks to strengthen migration governance, protect migrant dignity, and support regional mobility as a driver of socioeconomic development.
According to the coalition, a key focus will be engagement with the Government of Liberia to advocate for safer migration pathways and policies that uphold migrants’ rights while contributing to national development.
In a statement signed by Sam M. Nimely, Focal Person for Liberia, the coalition emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing migration challenges on the African continent.
“We are aware that joint efforts are key to addressing migration challenges effectively in Africa,” the statement noted. “We seek to collaborate with other organizations to share expertise, exchange best practices, and work jointly toward the ratification of the African Union Free Movement Protocol by Liberia.”
The African Union Free Movement of Persons Protocol (AUFMP), adopted in 2018, is a critical instrument for advancing regional integration by facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent.
The protocol is designed to maximize the benefits of migration, enhance economic opportunities, and promote the exchange of skills among member states.
Despite its potential, the coalition expressed concern over the slow pace of ratification. Out of the 55 African Union member states, only four have ratified the protocol to date, falling short of the minimum 15 ratifications required for full implementation.
As part of its strategic objectives, the Liberia CSOs Coalition on Migration plans to mobilize civil society organizations nationwide to advocate for broader ratification of the protocol by African Union member states, with a target of achieving at least 11 additional ratifications by 2027.
The protocol forms part of a broader continental vision aimed at creating seamless borders in Africa, including the eventual introduction of a single African passport to enable free movement across countries.
It also supports the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community by progressively implementing the rights of movement, residence, and establishment across the continent.
The coalition described free movement of people as a cornerstone of regional integration and economic growth, noting that it builds on existing Regional Economic Communities while offering a pathway toward deeper continental unity.
