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Dadaab: Agreement on refugee repatriation should not affect aid delivery, says MSF
GENEVA – Four in five refugees in the camps at Dadaab do not want to return to Somalia given the current climate of insecurity, finds an MSF assessment
An agreement to begin the voluntary repatriation of Somalis from Kenya could potentially be a positive step, but must not happen at the expense of providing aid to refugees, says the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders.
The agreement, signed on 10 November by the UN, Kenya and Somalia, outlines the practical and legal procedures for the voluntary return of hundreds of thousands of refugees to Somalia, many of whom were born in Kenya’s vast refugee camps or have lived there for up to 22 years. While reintegrating refugees back into Somalia could be part of a real and sustainable solution for Somali refugees, says MSF, maintaining assistance to the refugees needs to be high on the agenda of all stakeholders.
“Nobody chooses a life as a refugee, and most refugees struggle to get by on what the government and aid agencies provide,” says Dr Jean-Clément Cabrol, MSF Director of Operations. “Any decision to return should be made willingly and gladly, and not be forced on them by a cut in aid.”
The practical implementation of the three-way agreement raises a number of concerns, according to MSF. “Voluntary repatriation implies that people are fully aware of the situation inside Somalia,” says Cabrol. MSF’s 22 years of experience working in the country suggest that, given the high level of insecurity in many parts of Somalia, and the large numbers of people who are still displaced within its borders, safe conditions for the return of refugees are not guaranteed.
“Security and dignity must be ensured for all returnees,” says Cabrol. ”The Somali government and its partners would need to guarantee that returnees have rights and receive assistance, while aid must continue to be provided in Kenya’s refugee camps to those who don’t want to go back to Somalia.”
An assessment conducted by MSF amongst patients in its medical facilities in Dadaab’s Dagahaley camp in August 2013 found that four in five people would choose not to return to Somalia, given the current situation. Their reluctance to leave is despite poor living conditions in the camps. Nearly half of the respondents in Dagahaley said they have no means of keeping their homes dry in the rainy season; one in ten have no access to latrines; and one in four admitted they do not feel safe. “These findings reveal how minimal care provision is,” says Cabrol.
Policies by donors to reduce funds are having concrete effects on the refugees in Dadaab: for example, funding shortages have resulted in a recent 20 percent cut in food rations, leaving refugees receiving less than the minimum daily calorie intake recommended by the World Health Organization.
It is vital that the levels of assistance provided to refugees in Kenya are maintained, says Cabrol. “Reducing assistance in the camps could be seen as pressure on the refugees to go back to Somalia, and this is unacceptable.”
The future of the refugees in Dadaab has been under discussion for decades, and there are no easy answers. However, possible alternatives exist, including persuading the international community to allow more refugees to resettle abroad; relocating the refugees to a safer area in camps of a more manageable size; and developing opportunities for refugees to become more self-reliant.
“These are vulnerable people who have already suffered too much,” says Cabrol. “Wherever they live, their safety, health and dignity must be guaranteed.”
MSF has been working in Dadaab for the past 20 years and is currently the only provider of medical care in Dagahaley camp. MSF teams carry out more than 9,000 outpatient medical consultations each month and admit 600 patients from the refugee and host communities to Dagahaley hospital.
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
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Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
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“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
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