The International Committee of the Red Cross has commended Nigeria for domesticating the Kamala Convention.
The Head of IICRC in Nigeria Ms Doris El Douehi, gave the commendation when she led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Nigerian Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu, in Abuja.
She said that Nigeria’s domesticating the convention shows that the country is ready to combat the humanitarian crisis of displaced persons.
” For us in ICRC, this is another proof that Nigeria, when it comes to legal and judicial things is on the right track. And this is an example for many countries to do the same. Especially when it comes to unfortunate conflicts that we see in the region and we see that displacement is one of the major problems that the population is facing. I am here today on behalf of the ICRC in Geneva and the delegation in Nigeria to thank you for the great efforts and for reaching the great outcome of the domestication of the Kampala Convention”. Ms Douehi
She said that the ICRC is happy that Nigeria is putting in efforts to raise awareness and understanding of humanitarian laws.
She however, called on the Deputy Speaker to bring in more energy to the domestication of the Kampala Convention.
The iCRC team leed also appreciated the Deputy Speaker for sponsoring the bill, which was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his response, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu, said that the ICRC has been a lifeline for millions of Nigerians, adding that the organisation has been impartial in the discharge of its duties.
He said that the ICRC is filling a gap for Nigeria.
” The Kampala Convention and its domestication are one of my greatest achievements in the Parliament,” Mr Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker noted that most African countries were waiting for Nigeria to sign the document, noting that now that Nigeria has taken the lead, most of them will come on board.
” I am strategically positioned to lead a conversation on this subject matter. The more we have African countries sign and domesticate the convention, the better for the continent.
The law has come alive in our country.”
The Deputy Speaker also promised that it is not going to end at the Federal level but mechanisms are being put in place for states to also domesticate the convention.
” It is a good day for Nigeria. Is it to stop here, no! The next line is domestication. I’m happy because I rallied my colleagues and they came on board. And it’s been a long walk”. He said
He said that moving forward, the effects will be shifted to ” identification mapping, Access to education, Clean water and Shelter.”
The Deputy Speaker also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Kamala Convention.
He also promised to work with relevant agencies to seek cash backing for the implementation of the convention.
The Kampala Convention is a groundbreaking African Union treaty adopted on October 23, 2009, and in force since December 6, 2012, that binds governments to protect the rights of people internally displaced by conflict, violence, disasters, and development projects. It is the world’s first regional treaty covering internal displacement.
The Convention represents a significant shift from reactive assistance to proactively managing displacement risks and guaranteeing rights through legal frameworks.