| |
|
 |
ICRC
signs cooperation agreement
with IGAD |
 |
| |
 ADDIS
ABEBA(August 16 - 17,2008) - The International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) and regional mediation body, the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD), have entered into a cooperation agreement
that will strengthen relations between the two organizations and enhance
coordination of their activities.
A statement from the seven-member regional bloc issued in Nairobi
said the agreement, which was signed in Nairobi on Thursday by Mahboub
Maalim, IGAD executive secretary, and ICRC Head of Regional Delegation
Christophe Lüedi commits the two organizations to regular consultation
on matters of mutual interest.
"Major topics will include the protection of civilians affected
by armed conflict and other forms of violence, including refugees
and internally displaced persons; preventive action; post-conflict
rebuilding and weapon-related issues of relevance to Africa, such
as landmines and the proliferation of small arms," it said.
The ICRC and IGAD will also promote international humanitarian law
and encourage IGAD member states to undertake full implementation
of the relevant treaties.
The IGAD, which groups Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, Eritrea
and Somalia, is working with ICRC to limit the suffering that armed
conflicts inflict on people, the IGAD's work in the field of peace
and security being of particular relevance.
But while the IGAD's actions are political, the ICRC's operations
are exclusively humanitarian.
The ICRC has a presence in all IGAD member countries.
Africa accounts for almost half of the organization's annual expenditure,
with Somalia and Sudan among the largest, of the ICRC's operations.
|
| |
|
