Somali Refugees Guaranteed Safety during Repatriation

Kenya has assured Somali refugees that their repatriation to their homeland will be an orderly one that guarantees their security. The assurance comes in the wake of widespread fears that the government may use forceful means to return the refugees to Somalia. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed revealed that there were plans for a conference to be held next month to discuss the repatriation process. “We are working closely with...

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Uganda Grapples With Swelling Refugee Numbers

The Ugandan government finds itself in a difficult position as it struggles to meet the humanitarian needs of over 60,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are fleeing heavy fighting between DRC’s national army (FARDC) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan rebel group.  Mohammed Adar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in the country admits that humanitarian agencies...

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Reprieve for 400 African Immigrants as Malta Cancels Repatriation Flights

The Maltese government has been forced to cancel its plans to repatriate 400 immigrants from Somalia and Eritrea after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a temporary order halting the repatriation. The court order came after a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) requested for a stop to the repatriation plans amidst media reports that the government had arranged two flights to send these migrants to Libya. The NGOs...

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EAC States Risk Sanctions over Human Trafficking Laxity

Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda face sanctions from the United States for their laxity in dealing with human trafficking in the region. This comes after the countries were grouped among the ‘watch-list states’ in a report released by the U.S State Department last week. The report reveals that these countries have become notorious sources and destinations for widespread trafficking. It also notes the increasing role of the family...

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