Uganda is the first AU member state to ratify AU convention for the protection and assistance of IDP’s in Africa
KAMPALA, Uganda, March 29, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Republic of Uganda is the first African Union (AU) member state to ratify the AU Convention for the protection and assistance of the Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). Its instruments for ratification of the Convention with the Commission were deposited on 4 March 2010.
As a background, fifty years after the independence, Africa still hosts more than 17 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP’s). In order to address the root causes of forced displacement, the AU convened a Special Summit from 19 to 23 October 12, 2009 in Kampala, Uganda. At this occasion, the AU Heads of State and Government adopted the first ever Convention for the Protection and Assistance of IDP’s. During that historic event, the Convention was signed by 17 AU Member states.
The Convention has currently been signed by 25 AU Member States. To be binding, the Convention must be ratified by 15 Member States.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
