ICRC calls for ratification of convention for IDPs protection in Africa

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the ratification and full implementation of the African Union (AU) framework, dubbed the Kampala Convention, for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the African continent.

During a meeting on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, Peter Maurer, ICRC President, briefed the AU Peace and Security Council about his recent visits to Niger and Nigeria, and also dwelt upon other issues of common concern between the AU and the ICRC.

"One of the reasons of my coming to Addis is not only briefing the Peace and Security Council of the AU, but also to present the report that ICRC has worked upon with the AU over the last couple of months on the Kampala convention and its implementation," Maurer told the press after the meeting held in closed session

Stating that more than 10 million people are internally displaced in Africa, Maurer underlined the need for African states to ratify and fully implement the Convention to protect and assist IDPs.

Maurer noted that the ICRC report presented provides 25 concrete recommendations to support the process and implementation of the Convention.

He noted that the report has also detail examples of good practices as far as IDPs in Africa is concerned.

"IDPs in armed conflict are desperately vulnerable. They have little access to basic goods and services; they are often discriminated against and exposed to sexual violence or forced recruitment," he said.

Stating that the Convention is an African solution of comprehensive framework that can help states assist and protect IDPs, the ICRC President said: "This convention should now be ratified by all states in Africa, and those states who ratified it should fully implement it. The African Union has a vital role to play in this." Enditem