Regional Representative of the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sanda Simbimbi
Minister Joao Baptista Kussumua from the Republic of Angola
Minister Ferdinand Kambere Kalumbi from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Minister Rosalia Nghidinwa from the Republic of Namibia
Minister Charles Zacharie Bowao from the Republic of Congo
Minister Kennedy Sakeni from the Republic of Zambia
Deputy Secretary Kwena Rammekwa from the Republic of Botswana
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
May I take this opportunity on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, the government and people of South Africa, to welcome you all to this meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aimed primarily at discussing the conclusion of the repatriation programme for Angolan refugees who were forced to flee their home country in turbulent and violent times.
The repatriation of Angolan nationals back to their country must be viewed within the on-going contribution of the international community to help the people of Angola in their quest to build and consolidate peace and democracy following years of war and conflict.
In assisting in the repatriation of Angolans displaced by the war against colonialism and the subsequent civil war, the international community makes an unequivocal statement that the people of Angola, like the rest of humanity, across the world, has an inalienable right to peace, freedom and democracy.
We know too well the untold suffering, war and conflict brought to bear on the majority of the people of Angola, particularly women and children as well as the destruction of almost the entire infrastructure of this country, as a consequence of their support for our liberation struggle.
In this regard Angola was, not just a refuge, but a home to many of our compatriots during the days of struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
Indeed many Angolan nationals have laid down their lives in defence of peace and freedom of the South African people. In this context we shall forever remain indebted to the great majority of Angolans for their political, moral and material support offered to us all during our hour of need.
Distinguished guests,
History enjoins us all, acting under the auspices of the UNHCR and particularly those who were recipients of the generosity and the warmth of the people of Angola, to spare neither strength nor effort in assisting in the repatriation of Angolans to their home country.
In this regard, and in line with our international commitments, the South African government has been host to an estimated 15 000 Angolan refugees and asylum seekers who arrived in our country before 2008.
To date, and following efforts by the UNHCR to encourage voluntary repatriation to their home country following the cessation of hostilities in 2002, we estimate there are 5 810 Angolan refugees upon our shores.
Distinguished guests,
South Africa is firmly committed to ensuring the fulfilment of its international obligations towards refugees and asylum seekers in terms of its ratification of the relevant international protocols.
However, our government believes without equivocation that the rights of refugees and asylum seekers can best be served through the return of peace and stability in the country of origin. Indeed, peace, security and stability is a precursor, not only to the voluntary repatriation of displaced persons, but to socio-economic development in general.
We therefore, have been working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as the Angolan government following the 2002 peace agreement through a trilateral mechanism aimed at enabling the voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees.
Under this 2003 Tripartite Commission for the Voluntary Repatriation of Angolan Refugees between the governments of Angola and South Africa together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Angolans registered as asylum seekers or granted refugee status by South Africa before 20 June 2003 were invited to approach UNHCR for assistance to return to Angola.
In addition, the UNHCR launched a programme, in 2006, to inform Angolan refugees seeking to voluntarily repatriate from South Africa that they should do so by the end of the year, effectively bringing the programme to a close.
In further pursuance of this objective, we have been party to the adoption of the comprehensive strategy during the 60th session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR in 2009, to bring to a proper closure the Angolan refugee situation.
In this regard we have to continue to ensure:
- The enhanced promotion of voluntary repatriation to and reintegration of Angolan refugees in their country;
- The pursuance of opportunities for local integration and alternative legal status in countries of asylum;
- Continued support of those individuals unable to return to their country of origin for security reasons, and
- The development of a comprehensive schedule leading to the cessation of refugee status.
Distinguished guests,
As South Africa we have been working to ensure we support the work of the UNHCR and to this end have undertaken our own review of the current situation regarding Angolan refugees in our country.
Our review has indicated that while we have achieved some successes in terms of the voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees, yet more remains to be done.
In this regard important challenges remain with regard to voluntary repatriation including, amongst others, refugees being reluctant to return to their home country because of strong links being formed in their host countries after many years in exile.
While some 4 000 refugees worldwide have returned to Angola since organised returns were resumed in July 2011, an estimated 55 000 more wish to return home but have been unable to do so.
We therefore welcome the decision by the UNHCR to continue to implement all aspects of the cessation of refugee status during the first half of 2012, including exemption procedures, for Angolan refugees who fled their country as a result of the war of independence and the civil war between 1961 and 2002, with refugee status to formally cease by 30 June 2012.
We are committed as government, working together with all other role-players and stakeholders in the international community, to ensure that all Angolan refugees return to their home country so they can meaningfully contribute to the reconstruction and development of Angola.
Distinguished delegates,
I take this opportunity, once again on behalf of the government and people of our country, to extend our best wishes to you all in your deliberations on this rather important issue of the repatriation of Angolan nationals and indeed assure you of our continued support and commitment.
I thank you.
