CM/Res.1241 (L)
RESOLUTION ON THE REFUGEE SITUATION IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Fiftieth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 17 to 22 July, 1989,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity on the Activities of the Organization of African Unity General Secretariat in relation to the refugee situation in Africa as well as the Report on the Activities of the OAU Commission of 15 on Refugees,
Recalling the fact that refugee influxes have continued to occur in various parts of the continent,
Aware of the continuing human suffering in Southern Africa caused by apartheid and destabilization policies of the racist Pretoria and the Sudan as well as the ongoing efforts undertaken by the countries concerned with a view to achieving the voluntary return of the refugees as a means to ensure stability in the region,
Considering the serious nature of the refugee phenomenon in the Horn of Africa and the Sudan as well as the ongoing efforts undertaken by the countries concerned with a view to achieving the voluntary return of the refugees as a means to ensure stability in the region,
Noting with satisfaction the necessary measures taken by both the General Secretariat and the OAU Commission of 15 on Refugees, especially the fact- finding missions undertaken to twenty nine OAU Member States by the Commission and the Financial assistance extended by the General Secretariat to some of the seriously affected countries,
Noting with deep gratitude the readiness and willingness with which OAU Member States have always received refugees,
Noting with appreciation the humanitarian assistance extended to countries of asylum by the international community,
Recalling Resolution CM/Res.987 (XLIII) and CM/Res. 1022 (XLIII) on the Root Causes of Refugees in Africa,
Mindful of the recent developments regarding the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 435 (1978) under which Namibian exiles are currently being repatriated to their country, and the participation, in an Observer capacity of the Organization of African Unity in the self-determination process of Namibians,
Recalling OAU Council of Ministers Resolution CM/Res.1022 (XLIII) on the OAU Special Refugee Contingency Fund:
COMMENDS both the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity and the OAU Commission of 15 on Refugees and TAKES NOTE of the useful reports presented on the situation of Refugees in Africa;
CONGRATULATES the OAU Commission on Refugees for having successfully carried out fact-finding missions to twenty-nine OAU Member States and for the far-reaching, concrete and action oriented recommendations made;
COMMENDS the international community for the humanitarian assistance it has continued to render to refugees and displaces persons as well as to the countries of asylum and CALLS ON the donor community, in particular, to respond positively and adequately to the serious impact imposed by the presence of large numbers of refugees and displaced persons on the socio-economic environment, by providing increased and additional resources for refugee-related development activities in the medium and long-term phases;
APPLAUDS the United Nations and in particular, the Offices of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for the efforts made in favor of repatriation of Namibians and the facilities provided in Namibia for the reception of Namibian returnees under the UN Security Council Resolution 435 of 1978;
APPEALS to Member States concerned to create the necessary conducive atmosphere in order to reduce the incidence of asylum-seeking in Africa and to encourage voluntary repatriation of refugees to their countries of origin, once the conditions that caused their exile have disappeared;
REQUESTS Member States which are in a position to do so to grant naturalization rights to refugees and also to integrate those refugees who so wish, and who for specific reasons cannot return to their countries of origin;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General of the OAU in collaboration with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the UN high Commissioner for Refugees to prepare a well documented study on the root-causes of refugees in Africa for submission to the Fifty-second Ordinary Session of the OAU Council of Ministers;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General of OAU in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to take up the question of resettlement with OAU Member States with few or no refugees at all with a view to securing resettlement and transit facilities for the refugees;
REQUESTS FURTHER the Steering Committee of the International Conference on the Plight of Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in Southern Africa (SARRED) to monitor and follow closely the implementation of the OSLO Declaration and Plan of Action;
APPEALS to both the Secretary-General of the OAU and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to redouble their efforts in reactivating ICARA II process;
COMMENDS the countries of the Horn of Africa and the Sudan as well as UNHCR for the assistance provided to the refugees and return ees and CALLS ON the international community to further increase its assistance and to actively support the efforts underway to promote voluntary repatriation through the current peace process in the region;
EXPRESSES ITS DEEP GRATITUDE and APPRECIATION to the
countries of asylum which have continued to receive and provide food, sanctuary and security to the refugees in the spirit of African brotherhood and solidarity;
EXPRESSES ITS INDIGNATION at the continuing wanton acts of destabilization and destruction perpetrated by the racist Pretoria regime and its surrogate armed bandits against the Frontline and other neighboring States;
CALLS ON the OAU Observer Mission and the UNHCR Offices in Namibia to continue to monitor developments regarding the rehabilitation of the returnees until such time that they can go back to their homes;
APPROVES the recommendation of the OAU Commission of Fifteen on Refugees to increase the OAU Special Refugee Contingency Fund to 2% of the total OAU regular budget, effective 1990/1991 fiscal year.