West Africa rated highest in ratification of the Kampala convention on ID.
By Punarimam Fehintola
West Africa has been rated as a Region with highest percentage of ratifications of the Kampala Convention on Internal Displacement.
Presenting a Communique titled, “Comparative Experiences on Implementing the Kampala Convention, tagged, ” West Africa Regional Exchange on Law and Policy to Prevent and Address Internal Displacement”, before the ECOWAS Parliament on behalf of the participants, Commissioner, Social Affairs and Gender, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Sigi Jagne, stated that, the West Africa region-wide ratification and domestication of the Kampala Convention, remains desirable to advance further the implementation and broadly improves states capacity to prevent and address internal displacement in the region.
She noted that, the adoption of the Kampala Convention, is the first and only binding continent-wide convention on internal Displacement.
According to the communiqué, the Parliamentarians urged the ECOWAS Community to adopt a supplementary regulation with a view to incorporating the Kampala Convention into ECOWAS National Offices in Member States, to support member states and push for its ratification and implementation.
They however recommended that, National Parliament should assist States where relevant, to ratify and implement the Kampala Convention and Internal Displacement in a holistic manner.
They also urged Member States to ensure that adequate resources are made available through National Budget and Development Plans to protect and assist Internally Displaced Persons effectively, most importantly, for Internally Displaced Persons to be actively involved in the design and implementation of policies and solutions for displaced persons.
Meanwhile, representatives of the ECOWAS, ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Parliament, ECOWAS member states, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee inbred Cross, actively participated in a workshop designed to address the issues of internal displacement and enhance ratification and domestication of the Kampala Convention.
