Sudan, Kenya, UNHCR pleased by progress of South Sudan return
May 31, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Government of Kenya, the Government of the Sudan and UNHCR today applauded on occasion of the second meeting of the Tripartite Repatriation Commission in Khartoum the increase in voluntary return of Sudanese refugees from Kakuma camp, Kenya to South Sudan. Over 70,000 Sudanese were hosted by Kenya for more than 18 years.
Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 about 25,000 Sudanese refugees have returned from Kenya to their places of origin, while an estimate 45,000 are still living in exile in Kakuma camp.
The Tripartite Commission meeting under the chairmanship of the Commissioner for Refugees, Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Al Aghbash, reviewed the progress of repatriation and reintegration operations in the past and provided an opportunity to agree on the strategic priorities and challenges for the remainder of the year.
One of the identified priorities is to expedite the pace of voluntary repatriation while finding effective and timely solutions to outstanding impediments, such as poor educational infrastructure in South Sudan. In 2007 the Commission aims to exceed the return of 20,000 Sudanese refugees from Kakuma camp.
Among other topics discussed, the Commission called upon both Governments to improve border controls and agreed that ration cards will not be entertained as travel documents. It further agreed that in the repatriation planning process, aspects of social reintegration should be taken into consideration especially in cases when returnees intend to return to potentially conflictive areas.
In 2007 UNHCR plans to repatriate 102,000 Sudanese refugees from DRC, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Egypt. To date, 63, 193 have returned with the UN Refugee agency’s assistance, while 270,000 Sudanese refugees are believed to still be living in exile.
The Tripartite Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kenya, the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the UNHCR was signed on 12 January 2006.
(UNHCR)
Matot de Akech Matot .
Sudan, Kenya, UNHCR pleased by progress of South Sudan return
Hon, of UNHCR in Kenya and the government . I need your good understanding to they situation of south Sudanese refugee in Kenya has they’re now at Kakuma camp to give you all your honestly you government of Kenya that the CPA has been achive because of your suport but they south sudanese are not yet to reopened their schooling has you know . What i need from you is to let them staying there till south sudanese government has asking them to return them back home . For you also UNHCR i want your suport to let them stay not to returning them back because the country is yet not develop , No Education built has you know government is still poor to they south .
Thanks .
All of you and may God be with you all to have a change of its .
By Matot de Akech Matot .