IGAD agree to facilitate voluntary return of Somali refugees

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has resolved to facilitate the voluntary return of Somali refugees in safety and dignity.

In a communiqué issued at the end of an IGAD special summit on durable solutions for Somali refugees hosted in Nairobi by President Uhuru Kenyatta in his capacity as the regional body’s rapporteur, the IGAD leaders agreed to address the root causes of displacement by supporting the strengthening of security and stability in Somalia.

“strengthen regional co-operation on durable solutions for Somali refugees through the creation of an IGAD Multi-Donor Trust Fund designed to support and facilitate the creation of an enabling environment and the rolling out of durable solutions including safe, sustainable and voluntary return of refuges.”

They cited enhancing the discharge of the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and reinforcing the capacity of the National Security Forces of Somalia as key components of boosting security and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

Other recommendations of the summit included the strengthening of the capacity of countries in the region to contribute to the protection and provision of assistance to Somali refugees, continue enhancing security within refugee camps and out-of-camp refugee population, and ensure the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements.

They called on IGAD member states to align domestic laws and policies, including civil documentation, in line with refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention obligation to enable refugees to access gainful employment and self-reliance.

Presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Somalia) Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) and Sudan Vice President Hassabo Mohamed Abdulrahman attended the summit chaired by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, the Chairman of IGAD.

Earlier, President Kenyatta separately held talks with Prime Minister Desalegn, Presidents Museveni, Mohamed and Kiir, and the new African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat on the sidelines of the IGAD special summit on durable solutions for Somali refugees.

(courtesy of PSCU)