UNHCR allowed to resume operations

The Eritrean government and UNHCR reached agreement on Monday to allow the refugee agency resume operations in the country, from which it was expelled in May 1997 for what Eritrea considered “undue pressure” to revive the stalled repatriation from Sudan of Eritrean refugees who fled their home country during the war of independence with Ethiopia. Monday’s agreement, under which the refugee agency will focus on the voluntary repatriation of 147,000 Eritreans registered in refugee camps in Gedaref and El Showak in eastern Sudan, followed a visit to Asmara by UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Soren Jessen-Petersen, UNHCR spokesman Jacques Franquin told IRIN on Wednesday. Jessen-Petersen had visited to “restore dialogue and discussion” with Eritrea, while the authorities in Asmara had seen “an advantage and interest in this renewed relationship” with UNHCR, Franquin said. Acknowledging that “the new political atmosphere which has been developing between Eritrea and Sudan” had helped matters, and that Khartoum was keen to have the situation resolved, Franquin said “it’s time to proceed with the repatriation of these people, who are a bit forgotten.” Although the repatriation would be voluntary, the Eritrean refugees - over 10 years in exile - “have to make a choice either to integrate in Sudan or to return” because UNHCR cannot continue to accord them refugee status and assist them indefinitely, Franquin said. “The return plan and the pace of the repatriation will be determined by Eritrea’s reception capacity,” a UNHCR press release stated, adding that two UNHCR staff were scheduled to travel to Eritrea in February to work with the government on a repatriation plan.