An agreement for the transfer of activities related to refugees’ status determination was also signed during yesterday’s dual ceremony in Yaounde.

The Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, has officially opened the building to host the Permanent Technical Secretariat of the Eligibility and Appeals Commissions of Refugee Status in Cameroon. The structure situated in the Bastos neighbourhood in Yaounde, was inaugurated in a ceremony that also saw the signing of a protocol agreement for the transfer of activities related to the refugee status determination to the government of Cameroon by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR).

While saluting the excellent cooperation  that exist between Cameroon and the UN Refugee Agency, Minister Mbella Mbella stated that Cameroon is resolutely committed in ensuring the wellbeing and protection of refugees as the country will continue to show hospitality and give assistance to those in need. The protocol agreement marks a milestone in the engagement of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, in ensuring that Cameroon adheres to international instruments on refugees.

The Minister of External Relations pointed out that the UNHCR would continue to provide training and technical coaching to the Cameroonian officials for the implementation of the commissions announced to begin in October 2016.

The UNHCR representative to Cameroon, Khassim Diagne, said during the ceremony also attended by members of diplomatic corps that the inauguration of the technical secretariat and the protocol agreement for the transfer of activities related to refugees status determination mark a significant milestone in the protection of refugees in Cameroon.