Rwanda has extended its agreement with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Refugees Agency (UNHCR) to host asylum seekers from Libya until 2025.
At the signing of the tripartite agreement in Addis Ababa on Thursday, August 22, the Rwandan government was represented by Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU Maj Gen (Rtd) Charles Karamba.
First signed in 2019 and renewed in 2021, the agreement led to the establishment of an Emergency Transit Mechanism in Gashora, in eastern Rwanda.
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Rwanda has since received more than 2,300 asylum seekers, who had been stranded in Libya after their risky attempts to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.
"The agreement reaffirms the commitment of all parties to provide protection and seek durable solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers evacuated from Libya,” read a joint statement released on Friday.
"While maintaining its core mission, the ETM in Gashora, Rwanda will continue to provide a safe haven for refugees and asylum-seekers evacuated from Libya,” it went on.
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The refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, have been evacuated from the Libya, in 18 flights.
A total of 1,813 of the evacuees have been resettled to third countries, finding a lasting solution to their displacement.
The Government of Rwanda "reaffirms its unwavering commitment to receive and protect these individuals, as well as others identified as particularly vulnerable and at-risk,” the statement read.
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The officials from the AUC, UNHCR and the Rwandan government also emphasised a transparent selection process for the evacuees to ensure equal opportunities for all potential candidates regardless of nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, age, or any criteria other than their vulnerability.
The three parties said they would seek "to expand comprehensive efforts to find alternative durable solutions for evacuees who do not qualify for refugee status and are not willing to request a longer stay in Rwanda.”
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Such alternative solutions include exploring options such as voluntary return, resettlement, family reunification, and access to other solutions in third countries, according to the statement.
The African Union pledged to continue providing political support, capacity development, and resource mobilisation, as well as enhancement of joint coordination mechanisms.
The UNHCR promised to continue providing protection and required assistance including shelter, food, and healthcare for the evacuees during their stay in Rwanda.