13th meeting of the Burkina Faso – Republic of Mali – UNHCR Tripartite Commission: stakeholders focus on signing the revised tripartite agreement

Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso, Mali and the United Nations system held on Tuesday in Ouagadougou, their 13th meeting of the tripartite commission to create favorable conditions for forced displaced persons living on Burkina soil. Faso and the Republic of Mali. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, co-chaired this Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Ouagadougou, with the Malian Minister of Health and Social Development, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, the 13th tripartite meeting Burkina Faso - Republic of Mali - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The holding of this tripartite meeting reflects the stated desire of the Burkinabè and Malian authorities and the United Nations System to create favorable conditions for forced displaced persons living on the soil of Burkina Faso and the Republic of Mali. This meeting will be a framework for stakeholders to discuss for seventy-two hours on the management of Burkinabè and Malian refugees, and also to stu dy the feasibility of their voluntary repatriation to their respective countries, with the signature of the revised tripartite agreement. In his speech, the head of Burkina Faso diplomacy praised the remarkable work carried out by the UNHCR, as an actor in accompanying and supporting the Orientation Council, for the improvement of the living conditions of refugees, who because of the insecurity and violence reigning in the Sahel, were forced to move outside their country. Noting that the tripartite commission is an instrument of solidarity par excellence, the Burkinabè Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that holding this activity will make it possible to sign the revised tripartite agreement, a step towards restoring the dignity of our brothers and sisters. refugees. 'This agreement symbolizes the collective will of the three parties to agree to provide an adequate response to the difficulties of people in refugee situations, so that they have a better living condition,' said Karamoko Jan Marie Traoré. For his part, welcoming the hospitality of the authorities and the people of Burkina Faso, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, indicated that this meeting testifies to the good cooperation between Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the UNHCR. 'On both sides we have refugees; 'The signing of the agreement will allow us, with the support of the UNHCR, to work to give a happy life to forced displaced people.' According to the UNHCR representative in Burkina Faso, Maurice Azonnankpo, the UN institution is committed to facilitating the repatriation process and guaranteeing the security and dignity of refugees. For him, the updating of the Tripartite Agreement is a step forward towards a lasting and respectful solution. Note that the tripartite agreement between Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees signed on January 9, 2015, only concerned the voluntary repatriation of Malian refugees living in Burkina Faso Source: Burkina Information Agency