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Somalia calls for orderly return of refugees on World Refugee Day

Xinhua, June 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday called for human repatriation of refugees currently living in neighbouring countries.

In a statement issued to mark World Refugee Day, Mohamud said his government considered safe and orderly return of Somali refugees to their homes as a key priority.

"In order to facilitate this, the government is fighting the last remaining pockets of opportunistic terrorism and creating an inclusive state which upon their return will provide Somali refugees with hope and opportunity," he said in a statement.

The statement comes after Kenya announced plans to repatriate the more than 300,000 Somalis in Dadaab, the world's largest refugee camp in northeastern Kenya.

During his visit to Kenya earlier this month, President Mohamud said his country was ready to receive the Dadaab refugees back home and assured them the repatriation would be orderly, human and dignified.

Kenya has cited security concerns for the closure of Dadaab, saying Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab has hideouts in Dadaab.

Al-Shabaab militants have carried out several bloody attacks in Kenya in recent years.

Dadaab was set up more than 20 years ago to house people fleeing conflict in Somalia.

It is not yet clear when the repatriation will begin, but Kenya has already disbanded the Department of Refugee Affairs, which worked with humanitarian organizations for the welfare of the refugees.

President Mohamud said there were currently over one million Somali refugees across the world, most of whom were living in neighboring countries including Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen.

"This is their home and we understand fully that there is no place like home. The government of Somalia reaffirms its stand with refugees," the president said.

He called on governments and partner agencies to help Somali refugees to re-establish their lives.

"The Somali government firmly believes that where refugees have been provided opportunities and, where they are supported to effectively integrate into their new societies, they will prosper and contribute positively," the president said. Endit