The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has arrived in Marwa, the Republic of Cameroon, to ensure the voluntary repatriation of 9,800 Nigerians of Borno State origin, who are among 46,000 Nigerians taking refuge in Minawao Camp in Cameroon.
Humanitarian Ministry, Permanent Secretary Malam Bashir Nura Alkali alongside the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, led the Nigerian delegation to a meeting hosted by the Governor of Cameroon’s far north, Mijinyawa Bakare on the tripartite agreement signed between Nigeria, Cameroon and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, in Marwa, north Cameroon.
The meeting on Wednesday is in line with the provisions of the tripartite agreement, which has spelt out international best practices on humanitarian issues involving movements of persons between two or more countries, as well as the roles and limitations of all parties, and the protection of the rights of refugees, who can only be repatriated at their own will.
Majority of the refugees at the Minawao refugee camp, who are mostly from Borno State, have regularly appealed to Governor Zulum to spearhead their repatriation to safe and rebuilt communities in Borno, in order to return to a decent life.
In September 2019, Governor Zulum, during his trip to the camp, promised citizens that he would in response to their appeal, work with stakeholders towards their successful reparation and dignified resettlement.
Before the trip to Cameroon, Governor Zulum held series of meetings with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Senator Basheer and with relevant ambassadors, all geared towards following all established procedures for the lawful repatriation.
PIAK
