By Taban Gabriel
South Sudan Seeks Permanent Seat on UNHCR Executive Committee South Sudan has formally requested permanent membership on the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive Committee.
The Minister of Interior Angelina Teny announced upon her return from Geneva, where she attended the annual Executive Committee meeting. Teny emphasized that securing a permanent seat would enhance South Sudan’s capacity to address refugee-related issues and bolster efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
“Up to now, in the executive committee, we are still on the observer status, and we have discussed how we will become a permanent member of the committee,” Angelina said
According to Minister Angelina, the country receives a huge number of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, which requires a permanent status in the refugee organization.
Minister Anglina Teny (L) in the company of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management (R)addresses journalist at Juba International airport upon arrival from Geneva (Photo Credit: Taban Gabriel, King News)
“So, we really need to be part of the planning and part of the decision that is to do with the host countries and host communities”
South Sudan in the last Global Refugees Forum, had pledged “durable solutions” for protection of refugees and Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) as a prerequisite for the membership, according to the Minister.
“Durable solutions are inclusive of issues to do with the protection of refugees, internally displaced persons, and all groups at risk. It also has to do with service delivery to those groups and host communities and it also to do with integration, so it’s a different approach of how to deal with refugees, so instead of just keeping them in isolation in camps, the idea is to intergrade them into the host communities and the host communities become beneficiaries” Angelina explained.
Angelina said her Ministry has started registering and providing identification cards to refugees as measures to combat statelessness.
The Interior boss said the high Commissioner for UNHCR promised to support South Sudan in addressing issues of integrating refugees, delivering services and protections.
Angelina was in the company of the Minister of Humanitarian affairs and Disaster Management, Albino Akol Atak.