Resolution on the Situation of Migrants in Africa

CM/Res.1413 (LVI)

RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION OF MIGRANTS IN AFRICA

The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Fifty-sixth Ordinary Session in Dakar, Senegal, from 22 to 28 June 1992,

Recalling the objectives of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity according to which the Heads of State and Government are “guided by a common desire to strengthen understanding amongst our peoples and cooperation among our States in response to their aspiration for the consolidation of their brotherhood and solidarity within a united framework that transcends ethnic and national divergencies”,

Reaffirming their attachment to the principles of international law and to that of good neighborliness which constitutes the basis for their solidarity,

Observing as a result of economic and other difficulties, the existence of a huge migratory phenomenon of their respective peoples across the borders,

Concerned over the dimension of this phenomenon and the social problems that might occur in its wake both for the countries of origin and for the countries of residence of the persons concerned,

Further concerned over the vulnerable and precarious status of this migrant population and that of the members of their families due, above all, to the distance from the countries of origin:

1. REITERATES ITS DETERMINATION to spare no effort in promoting the rights and liberties of all African peoples’ as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

2. APPEALS for cooperation and solidarity from all States in protecting the person and properties of the migrant populations and members of their families;

3. CALLS ON the countries of origin on the one hand and on the other hand on the host countries and the countries of residence or destination to embark on wide-ranging cooperation and consultations so as to resolve the problems which arise this regard;

4. ENCOURAGES the Secretary-General in his efforts to draft a Protocol on the free movement, right of residence and settlement of persons within the frame- work of the implementation of the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community;