UNHCR Welcomes Commitment To Tripartite Agreement By Cameroon And Nigeria
UNHCR Welcomes Commitment To Tripartite Agreement By Cameroon And Nigeria
kapitalFM, 04 May 2016
URL: http://www.kapital929.fm/unhcr-welcomes-commitment-to-tripartite-agreement-by-cameroon-and-nigeria/
4 May 2016, Presidents Paul Biya and Muhammadu Buhari announced the holding of tripartite talks and eventual signing of an agreement for the repatriation of Nigeria refugees from Cameroon.
Buhari-BiyAfter two days of concertation “the two leaders also agreed that a Tripartite Meeting of the two countries and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) should be convened by July 2016 in Abuja, with a view to agreeing on a framework for the safe return of Nigerian refugees, currently hosted by Cameroon, back to Nigeria.” Stated a joint communique issued by the two parties.
Recent waves of repatriation of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon in the past months have remained a source of concern to the United Nations Higher Commissioner for refugees(UNHCR),and the humanitarian community as a whole.
As of 1st May 2016, 22,096 returnees have been registered by UNHCR and partners at Sahuda bordering Cameroon and Nigeria.
Other refugees whose numbers are so far unknown, continue to return through the inaccessible southern Borno state.
The announcement of the talks came as a relief to UNHCRwhose concern has always been to encourage all parties to respect international protection principles which seek to ensure returns in safety and dignity.
During a maiden visit by the most senior UNHCR Protection official to Nigeria since the onset of the displacement crises, the Assistant High Commissioner in charge of protection, Mr. Volker Turk called on the Nigerian authorities to heed the concerns of internally displaced people (IDP) in the north-east of the country.
“We all need to listen to the IDPs, their aspirations and sense of dignity and safety,” he stressed in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, last February 24, 2016 referring to organized returns to areas under government control but still considered risky.
UNHCR believes that the announcement by the two countries will usher in some order into the ongoing repatriation drive and allow for the tripartite agreement to be reached by all the relevant parties.
By so doing, enough preparation regarding security and restoration of basic social amenities and shelter would be met.
UNHCR welcomes this declaration which connotes the determination of both countries to heed to earlier appeals and their willingness to adhere to international protection principles.
This move should constitute a pacesetter to the rest of the neighboring countries (Chad and Niger), hosting Nigerian refugees in the collective search for durable solutions for refugees and other persons of concern to UN agency for refugees.
Buhari-BiyAfter two days of concertation “the two leaders also agreed that a Tripartite Meeting of the two countries and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) should be convened by July 2016 in Abuja, with a view to agreeing on a framework for the safe return of Nigerian refugees, currently hosted by Cameroon, back to Nigeria.” Stated a joint communique issued by the two parties.
Recent waves of repatriation of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon in the past months have remained a source of concern to the United Nations Higher Commissioner for refugees(UNHCR),and the humanitarian community as a whole.
As of 1st May 2016, 22,096 returnees have been registered by UNHCR and partners at Sahuda bordering Cameroon and Nigeria.
Other refugees whose numbers are so far unknown, continue to return through the inaccessible southern Borno state.
The announcement of the talks came as a relief to UNHCRwhose concern has always been to encourage all parties to respect international protection principles which seek to ensure returns in safety and dignity.
During a maiden visit by the most senior UNHCR Protection official to Nigeria since the onset of the displacement crises, the Assistant High Commissioner in charge of protection, Mr. Volker Turk called on the Nigerian authorities to heed the concerns of internally displaced people (IDP) in the north-east of the country.
“We all need to listen to the IDPs, their aspirations and sense of dignity and safety,” he stressed in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, last February 24, 2016 referring to organized returns to areas under government control but still considered risky.
UNHCR believes that the announcement by the two countries will usher in some order into the ongoing repatriation drive and allow for the tripartite agreement to be reached by all the relevant parties.
By so doing, enough preparation regarding security and restoration of basic social amenities and shelter would be met.
UNHCR welcomes this declaration which connotes the determination of both countries to heed to earlier appeals and their willingness to adhere to international protection principles.
This move should constitute a pacesetter to the rest of the neighboring countries (Chad and Niger), hosting Nigerian refugees in the collective search for durable solutions for refugees and other persons of concern to UN agency for refugees.