UNHCR and ECOWAS sign MOU

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on refugee issues, a statement from UNHCR said on Tuesday. Both parties pledged to tackle refugee-related issues more "vigorously" by undertaking joint activities.

ECOWAS was represented by its Executive Secretary, Lansana Kouyate, and UNHCR by the High Commissioner, Ruud Lubbers.

The MOU, signed in New York, aims to consolidate refugee protection and address the needs of vulnerable groups such as women and children in West African countries, the statement said.

The agreement also covers issues such as mitigating the negative impact of large refugee populations on the environment of hosting countries and promoting refugee law among governments and civil society.

According to the agency, the agreement solidifies a long-standing relationship that has seen numerous examples of cooperation on the ground, including during the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

"The MOU with ECOWAS is another stone which adds to the partnership bridge UNHCR is building regarding the global governance of refugee problems in the world in general and in Africa in particular," Lubbers said.

The signing of the MOU has come at a time when international efforts are focusing on solving the instability in some countries in West Africa, particularly member-states in the Mano River Union which comprises Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, UNHCR noted.

"Both ECOWAS and UNHCR share a common vision and belief that political solutions are needed to bring peace and stability in the sub-region which, until the early eighties enjoyed general stability unlike other regions in Africa," the agency said.