JUBA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency on Friday applauded South Sudan's accession to the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, also known as the Kampala Convention.
Johann Siffointe, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative to South Sudan, said the move is an encouraging step forward to protect almost two million internally displaced South Sudanese as well as more than 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries, urging South Sudan to move toward national legislation.
He stressed in a statement that South Sudan must ensure that the convention leads to positive changes which will enable South Sudan to respond and find solutions for internally displaced South Sudanese.
The Kampala Convention, adopted in October 2009, is a regional legally binding instrument for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons, which incorporates the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Siffointe said South Sudan now becomes the 28th country to ratify the Kampala Convention, noting that the move is a significant milestone achieved by the world's newest country.
"It is also timely as this year marks the tenth anniversary of the Convention," he added, noting that its accession has come at a time when South Sudan and the whole Africa region are faced with complex and protracted internal displacement challenges affecting millions of men, women and children.
UNHCR said it will continue to ensure that internally displaced South Sudanese have an access to adequate assistance and protection, and seek durable solutions.
