DECISION ON THE REPORT ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN AFRICA
The Executive Council,
1. TAKES NOTE of the Report of the Africa Union Commission on the Humanitarian situation in Africa covering the period January to December.
2. ALSO TAKES NOTE WITH APPRECIATION of the efforts of all Member States that are hosting refugees in their countries, in particular, the Republics of Ethiopia, Uganda and the Sudan who are hosting the largest numbers of refugees in Africa; the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for integrating refugees in the national Social Protection Program; and the Republics of Niger and Rwanda that provide an Emergency Transit Mechanism for refugees and irregular migrants from Libya, and REMINDS all state parties to the 1951 UN Convention on refugees, and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problem in Africa, adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 10th September 1969 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of their responsibility towards international protection for persons in need of that protection as provided for in the two treaties.
3. EXPRESSES CONCERN over the continued humanitarian challenges in Africa, caused by violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, political and economic crises, adverse impact of climate change and natural disasters, such as cyclones, volcanic eruptions, drought, famine, desertification, landslides, floods, animal diseases, pest infestations, epidemics and pandemics resulting in destruction of homes, social amenities, livelihoods, food insecurity, and forced displacement. These displacements have continued to exist for protracted periods with lasting consequences on the affected populations.
4. RECALLS the Executive Council Decision Ex.CL/Dec. 1109(XXXVI 11) of the Report of the Commission on the Humanitarian Situation in Africa for the period January - December 2020 and REAFFIRMS its February 2021 decision EX.CL/Dec. 1109 (XXXVIII), requesting the Commission to expedite the operationalization of the African Humanitarian Agency.
5. FURTHER RECALLS the Peace and Security Council Resolution PSC/AHG/COMM.1042(2021) of its 1043rd PSC meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 29 October 2021 on the theme: “Addressing Disaster Management issues in Africa: Challenges and Perspectives for Human Security” and ENCOURAGES Member States to reinforce their role in humanitarian action, especially in situations of disasters and climate induced displacements.
6. COMMENDS Member States, Africa CDC and the Commission for continued support and solidarity towards refugees, asylum-seekers, and displaced persons amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse socio-economic effects on
livelihoods, especially of vulnerable populations and CALLS on governments to continue extending COVID-19 related measures to refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced person in accordance with its Decision EX.CL.1109(XXXVIII) adopted in February 2021.
7. FURTHER COMMENDS the Peace Agreement between the Republics of South Sudan and the Sudan that has enabled the return of 400,000 refugees and IDPs to South Sudan; and the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire that has achieved national reconciliation, and the conditions for a safe and dignified return of Ivorian refugees and asylum-seekers, paving the way for the invocation of the cessation clause scheduled by 30 June 2022.
8. CONGRATULATES the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting COP27 in 2022 and ENCOURAGES Member States to use the platform to highlight challenges of climate change and natural disasters and their impact on displacements in Africa.
9. FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission to work with Member States and partners such as WFP, UNHCR, FAO among others to establish modalities of addressing food security concerns among displaced populations AND to develop operational guidelines on climate induced displacements within the context of the 1969 OAU Convention on Refugees adopted by Assembly of Heads of States on 10th September 1969 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
10. CALLS ON the international community to meet its international obligations of shared responsibility and burden sharing by availing much required humanitarian resources needed to support IDPs, refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons in Africa.
11. WELCOMES the commitment of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and EXPRESSES APPRECIATION for the progress made towards the organization of the AU Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference scheduled for 25-27 May 2022, in the city of Malabo; to raise the requisite financial resources and to seek sustainable durable solutions to the humanitarian challenges in Africa.
12. CALLS ON Member States, RECs, Humanitarian Partners, Private Sector, and International Community to support and participate in the Humanitarian Summit and Donors Pledging Conference scheduled for 25 and 27 May 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea as well as mobilize the necessary resources needed to implement humanitarian programs in Africa.