The United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR has charged the ECOWAS Court of Justice to save 5.5 million possible displaced persons in West Africa.
Regional Director of UNHCR West & Central Africa, Millicent Mutuli, said the Court, through its advocacy, held the key to curbing the rising spate of displacement and statelessness in the sub-region and protecting victims’ rights.
Mutuli who presented a paper at the ongoing International Conference to mark the 20th anniversary of the Court, said the court also had a great responsibility in ensuring the rights of displaced persons were protected.
She said at the moment, parts of Africa were beset by violence and conflict as well as a dramatic rise in social tensions forcing many to leave their countries of origin as internally displaced persons.
She thanked the court for its openness and willingness to pursue fruitful partnership with UNHCR, saying that the UNHCR was excited by the new chapter of cooperation that was opening between both institutions.
