Africa without Borders

Abstract

During the past decade, Euro-African relations have once more revolved around borders, now in relation to irregular African migration towards Europe and the ensuing efforts by European powers to impose increasingly invasive policing of African state borders. African leaders and activists, in response, have reemphasised the centrality of free movement and exchange as core values of African unity and regionalisation. In light of this renewed struggle over the role and significance of African borders, this chapter offers a reflection on the notion of an Africa without borders as an alternative perspective on some of these current debates with particular attention to policies and practices relating to the free movement of persons. We take the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a main point of reference, given its historical commitment to the principle and implementation of free movement within the subregion. Our closing reflection suggests that, more than any political or epistemological differences, the discrepancies between principle and practice in the management of African borders should be a key field of investigation and analysis.