Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and international organisations will meet on Saturday in Nairobi to endorse a durable regional solution for Somali refugees.
Somali refugees wait to see the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres at the Ifo camp in Dadaab near the Kenya-Somalia border, May 8, 2015 (Photo Reuters/Thomas Mukoya)
Almost one million Somalis refugees are displaced within the East and Horn of Africa region, particularly in Kenya which stopped registration of new refugees as aid groups point to a looming famine situation in Somalia.
Ahead of Saturday’s summit, IGAD ministerial committee including security and refugees officials Friday held a special session on “Durable solutions for Somali refugees”.
The newly elected Somali President, Mohamed Farmago, is expected to address the African leaders regarding the persistent drought-induced looming famine condition that has hit the country and further will urge regional and international donors assist his country.
He is also expected to hold talks with his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, to ask him to extend Nairobi’s plan to Shut down Dadab, largest refugee camp where tens of thousands of Somali refugees are sheltered.