Somalia Reaffirms Commitment to Refugee Protection and Durable Solutions at IGAD Talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh) has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to long-term, rights-based solutions for refugees and internally displaced people, telling an IGAD ministerial meeting in Nairobi that the country has made tangible policy strides despite ongoing humanitarian pressures.

Addressing regional counterparts, Ali Hosh outlined the scale of displacement challenges driven by conflict, returning refugees and repeated climate shocks. He said Somalia continues to shoulder a heavy burden but remains determined to implement the Nairobi Declaration and improve conditions for refugees, IDPs and host communities.

“Although challenges persist, Somalia remains fully committed to implementing the principles and goals of the Nairobi Declaration,” he said. “We have worked consistently to translate these pledges into effective solutions that improve lives on the ground.”

The minister highlighted two major legal milestones, the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Act (2023) and the Internally Displaced Persons Bill, passed earlier this month, as evidence of Somalia’s progress in building national protection systems that align with regional and international standards.

At the IGAD meeting, ministers discussed shared approaches to displacement across the region. Somalia, positioned at the centre of the discussions, pushed for durable policies that move beyond emergency aid and support long-term reintegration and stability.

By emphasising legislative reform and sustained political commitment, Ali Hosh said Somalia aims to strengthen protection for vulnerable groups while advancing broader regional solutions to displacement.