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Danish Refugee Council welcomes a new agreement with potential to enhance opportunities for voluntary return for Somali refugees from Kenya. It can increase the possibility of finding durable solutions for the Somali refugees.
A new agreement to preserve the principle of voluntary return has been reached between the governments of Somalia and Kenya, and UNHCR. Nearly half a million Somali refugees could get support if choosing to return to their land of origin. Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is happy with the agreement which is of benefit to all parties but cautions strongly that Somalia is not ready for mass return.
“We are very pleased with the agreement, which gives any refugee the right to choose what is best for him or her. The agreement is a first and important step towards finding durable solutions for Somali refugees in the region. It is important that governments talk about durable solutions in a situation that has been protracted for decades,” says Rikke Johannesen, Deputy Regional Director, DRC Horn of Africa & Yemen.
“Somalia, however, is still a country at war. Only few pockets in the country is safe, and in Mogadishu alone, you have more than 200.000 internally displaced people basically living in the streets.”
The refuges will get information about conditions on the ground in Somalia so they can make an informed decision. There is no compulsion included in the agreement and it is of outmost importance that each refugee gets influence on what is the best solution for him or her. And that the government and people of Kenya will keep on providing protection for Somali refugees who decide to stay.
“We are pleased that this agreement will further consolidate the existing commitment from the Government of Kenya to preserve the asylum space in the interim period and respect the principle of voluntary return,” says Rikke Johannesen.
“Patience is still needed from hosting governments, in this case Kenya, as developments towards a return environment where legal, material and physical safety for returnees need to take firm root.”
DRC stays committed to support stakeholders in their efforts to preserve the right of Somali refugees to seek asylum, enjoy a dignified life as refugees, and to ensure a sustainable and dignified return and reintegration in Somalia.
DRC already supports IDP returns in Somalia and will seek actively to extent this support to possible refugee returns.
Most NGOs engaged in the search for durable solutions for Somali refugees are working together and have aligned their efforts in this area.
