CM/Res. 104(IX)
RESOLUTION ON THE PROBLEM OF REFUGEES IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Ninth Ordinary Session in Kinshasa, Congo, from 4 to 10 September 1967,
Having examined the reports submitted by the Administrative Secretary- General on the problem of refugees in Africa;
Aware that the serious situation arising from the growing number of refugees places a heave burden on the host countries which provide the refugees with asylum or relief;
Realizing the considerable socio-economic, financial, cultural and security problems which can and do arise for neighbouring countries when large numbers of refugees stream towards their borders;
Desirous that refugees who wish to return to their country of origin should be helped to do so;
Anxious that, in accordance with resolutions AHG/Res. 26 and AHG/Res. 27 of October 1965, adopted by the Heads of State and Government, the refugee problem shall not become a source of friction between States;
Desirous of taking the necessary measures to improve living conditions and ensure humane treatment for refugees, and to help them lead a normal life by putting an end to the refugee problem in general;
RECOMMENDS:
That, pursuant to resolution AHG/Res. 26 of October 1965, and resolution CM/Res. 88 (VII), adopted by Heads of State and Government at Addis Ababa in November 1966, Member States which have not yet done so should again be asked to accede to the United Nations 1951 Convention and to the Protocol on the Status of Refugees of January 1967, and to apply them to refugees in Africa;
That the OAU Commission on Refugees be instructed to adopt an instrument governing the specific aspects of the problem of African Convention, and that the adoption of that instrument by Member States be recommended;
That the OAU Commission on Refugees should help the countries of origin and the host countries devise ways and means for the return of the refugees to their country of origin, in complete security;
EXPRESSES ITS GRATITUDE to the African Governments, to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to voluntary organizations for the help they have rendered to refugees, and asks them to increase their assistance to refugees in African and facilitate their repatriation and resettlement;
APPEALS to countries adjacent to African territories under foreign domination to afford these refugees transit facilities temporary residence and travel papers.