Ethiopia is enhancing its support for Somali refugees through significant legal and policy reforms, according to Mulualem Desta, Deputy Director General of the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS).
“The government of Ethiopia has taken steps to create a favorable legal and policy environment and provide comprehensive durable solutions for Somali refugees,” Desta announced.
In Addis Ababa, a gathering of technical experts is reviewing the IGAD support platform and the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration’s Plan of Action, leading to a critical Ministerial Meeting set for Thursday. The Nairobi Declaration, vital since its March 2017 endorsement, is aimed at the sustainable solutions and reintegration of Somali refugees.
Mohamed Elduma, from the IGAD Social Development Unit, underscored the regional approach adopted since the 2017 IGAD Special Summit, which focuses on durable solutions for Somali refugees and the reintegration of returnees in Somalia. The meeting’s objectives include evaluating the Nairobi Declaration’s progress, endorsing strategies for displacement in Sudan and South Sudan, and assessing the IGAD support platform’s draft results framework. It also aims to confirm regional pledges on durable solutions and climate change and to approve the IGAD refugee protection policy framework.
Ahead of the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023, Elduma urged member states to propose actionable pledges. “As we gear up to the December 2023 Global Refugee Forum, member states are encouraged to present smart pledges that can be translated into actionable initiatives,” he stated.
Detailing Ethiopia’s actions, Desta mentioned the endorsement of a proclamation granting refugees significant rights and the issuance of three directives for its implementation. “Following the endorsement of the proclamation, the government engaged with stakeholders to expand the protection and asylum space for the refugees,” he explained.
Desta highlighted Ethiopia’s comprehensive roadmap since the Nairobi declaration, focusing on “legal and policy reforms, technical capacity building, and development interventions to support refugee self-reliance and livelihood opportunities.”
UNHCR Ethiopia Representative Andrew Mbogori spoke on the displacement challenges in Africa, emphasizing the moral imperative of refugee support. “Our response to refugees is a moral imperative to alleviate the suffering of other human beings. By working together to address forced displacement, we are committing to building a safer, more peaceful and prosperous world for all of us,” he said.
The initiative includes efforts by countries such as Chad, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, and Zambia in piloting the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), which has led to policy reforms and programs for refugees.
