CM/Res.1316 (LIII)
RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting it in its Fifty - third Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 25 February to 1 March 1991,
Having considered the activity report of the Secretary-General and that of the Commission of Fifteen on Refugees, highlighting the plight of refugees and displaced persons in Africa, together with the action taken,
Having considered further the “Khartoum Declaration” on Africa’s refugee crisis that was adopted by the OAU Commission of Fifteen on Refugees in Khartoum, the Republic of the Sudan, on 24 September 1990,
Noting with concern that despite all the efforts deployed so far, the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa has continued to deteriorate,
Noting with deep regret the chronic insufficiency in humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons accruing from the international community, vis-à-vis the ever increasing assessed needs,
Noting with satisfaction the efforts being exerted by some Member States with regard to voluntary repatriation and rehabilitation of refugees and displaced persons,
Noting with appreciation the results of the Regional Summit Conference on Rwandese refugees, held in Dar-es-Salaam on 9 February 1991,
Noting with great concern the serious difficulties in transporting, under conditions of insecurity, humanitarian relief assistance to refugees and displaced persons in areas of conflict,
Recalling Declaration AHG/Dec.1 (XXVI) of the Assembly of the African Heads of State and Government on the Political and Socio-economic Situation in Africa and the Fundamental Changes taking place in the World, especially paragraph 11 which deals with peace and stability in Africa:
TAKES NOTE of the reports on the situation of Refugees and Displaced Persons in Africa presented by the Secretary-General and the Commission of Fifteen on Refugees;
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ENDORSES the “Khartoum Declaration” on Africa’s Refugee Crisis as adopted by the OAU Commission of Fifteen on Refugees, and EXPRESSES its sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Sudanese Government for having hosted the Seventeenth Extraordinary Session of the OAU Commission of Fifteen on Refugees;
CONGRATULATES the asylum countries in Africa which, in spite of the economic difficulties confronting them, have never failed to provide assistance to refugees and displaced persons;
CONGRATULATES FURTHER the Member States which have already taken steps at national and regional levels to promote the voluntary return or rehabilitation of refugees, particularly by establishing a political atmosphere conducive to their return in conformity with the spirit of resolutions CM/Res.1274 (LII) and CM/Res.1278 (LII), and REQUESTS the OAU
Secretary-General, UNHCR, international organizations, as well as the International community at large, to provide adequate assistance for the Purpose of complementing the efforts of the Member States concerned;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the Commission
of Fifteen on Refugees, to mount a vigorous sensitization campaign based on the spirit of the “Khartoum Declaration”, including a photo exhibition depicting the plight of refugees and displaced persons at the Abuja Summit aimed at reviving the political will of the international community, especially the donor countries, to provide resources that match the assessed needs of the refugees and displaced persons;
CALLS UPON Member States to encourage and facilitate the creation of national and non-governmental humanitarian and voluntary agencies aimed
at mobilizing resources with which to assist refugees, returnees and displaced persons, especially in emergency situation;
REQUESTS the OAU Secretary-General to do everything possible in collaboration with UNHCR and the international community to ensure the implementation of the “Dar-es-Salaam Declaration” on the Rwandese Refugees adopted on the 19 February 1991;
URGES Member States to do everything possible to facilitate safe passage of convoys carrying relief and humanitarian supplies to refugees and displaced persons in areas of conflict;
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REITERATES its appeals to the international community to maintain sanctions and other forms of pressure against South Africa, until transitional arrangements and modalities on the process of the drawing up and adoption of a new constitution, and of the transition to a democratic order, including the holding of elections, are agreed;
REQUESTS Member States, in collaboration with the Secretary-General, to do all within their power to promote peaceful settlements of intra -state conflicts, in conformity with the OAU Charter, as well as, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.