UNHCR Hosts Continental Meeting to Propel Ratification of Protocol to Eradicating Statelessness in Africa

Adopted by the African Union (AU) Assembly in February 2024, the Protocol aims to eradicate statelessness and promote inclusion for millions across the continent.

 In a groundbreaking event, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), along with experts Mr. Ibrahima Kane and Dr. Bronwen Manby, convened a continental meeting to advance the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on Specific Aspects of the Right to a Nationality. Adopted by the African Union (AU) Assembly in February 2024, the Protocol aims to eradicate statelessness and promote inclusion for millions across the continent.

The meeting, attended by nearly 80 participants including government officials, regional organizations, and donors, focused on the Protocol’s key aspects to prepare States for its ratification. The Protocol will come into effect once fifteen Member States have ratified it, granting individuals without legally recognized nationality or those who have unjustly lost their nationality access to citizenship in these countries.

Patrick Eba, UNHCR’s Deputy Director of the Division of International Protection, praised Africa's proactive stance on addressing statelessness. “This meeting highlights Africa’s leadership in finding innovative solutions to end statelessness. We have a crucial opportunity to ensure the Protocol’s adoption and encourage its widespread acceptance across the continent,” Eba remarked.

The discussions emphasized the importance of reviewing the Protocol’s content, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of States to implement safeguards against statelessness. Key issues included ensuring non-discrimination in nationality laws and protecting the rights of children to prevent statelessness.

Ibrahima Kane, Special Adviser to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, highlighted the significant role of government statelessness focal points in advocating for the Protocol’s ratification. “It is encouraging to see increasing engagement from these focal points, which we hope will translate into tangible actions by their governments,” Kane said.

Samia El Hashimi, Director of Mutawinat, a Sudanese organization working with refugees, stressed the need for further discussions at the State level to promote the Protocol in an apolitical manner. “Statelessness is often a highly politicized issue, and we need more awareness among government bodies and decision-makers to ratify the Protocol without political bias,” El Hashimi emphasized.

Recommendations from the meeting included increased sensitization sessions with States and stakeholders to enhance support for the Protocol. Strengthening coordination with national focal points and encouraging AU Member States to join the Global Alliance to End Statelessness were also highlighted as crucial steps.

The Protocol aligns with AU Commission pledges made at the UNHCR High-Level Segment on Statelessness in October 2019 and the subsequent Global Refugee Forum. It reaffirms the right to nationality, ensures non-discrimination, and includes specific provisions to address generational statelessness and support nomadic and cross-border communities.