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Kenya says Somalis refugees to be repatriated humanely

Xinhua, May 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenya has assured the international community that the planned repatriation of Somali refugees will be carried out in a humanely manner.

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohamed told a tripartite meeting attended by her counterpart from Somalia Abdisalam Omer and UNHCR representatives that Kenya has formed a task-force that will chart the modalities of the exercise.

"Noting the failure of the international community to translate their pledges into concrete support, the meeting expressed concern at the international community neglect of the Somali displacement and refugee crisis," a statement from Kenya's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Kenya's government has admitted that closing the Dadaab, the world's largest refugee camp will harm refugees and has urged the international community to take steps to minimize the pain and suffering.

The East Africa nation also says it has hosted refugees from neighbouring nations for decades and emphasized that Nairobi viewed the repatriation of the refugees as one way of stabilizing Somalia.

The tripartite meeting which was held in Nairobi late on Monday reviewed the challenges that have led to limited success in assisted repatriation of refugees since the signing of the Agreement in November 2013.

"To ensure an orderly and humane process Mohamed informed that the Government of Kenya had formed a task-force that will outline the modalities of the exercise," the statement said.

The statement said both ministers committed to working together, and underscored an equal obligation of the international community in contributing to successful repatriation that restores dignity and hope to the thousands of people that have been displaced in conditions of squalor for more than two decades.

During the meeting, Omer expressed the appreciation of his country for the sacrifice that Kenya has made in hosting the Somali refugees for over two decades.

"Somalis are very grateful to Kenyans for keeping our nationals for 20 years or more. They have given them homes, investment opportunities and lived in Kenya as their home. We appreciate Kenya and are sure it will carry out the current exercise in the most humane manner," said Omer.

He informed the meeting that his government was willing and ready to receive the refugees back and to ensure safe return and settlement. On the basis of this he appealed to International community to help finance the exercise.

"Both ministers expressed confidence that the remain time-frame of the current Tripartite Agreement provides an opportunity and ample time to fast track the repatriation and contribute to the on-going stabilization of Somalia," the statement said. Endit