African Commission hails Côte d’Ivoire’s move to protect displaced populations
By granting formal refugee status, Côte d’Ivoire has strengthened protections against the forced return of people to unsafe conditions.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has commended Côte d’Ivoire for granting refugee status to over 70,000 asylum seekers from Burkina Faso and Mali, describing the move as a significant step in strengthening protection and safeguarding the fundamental rights of displaced populations.
The decision was formalised through an interministerial decree on July 2, 2025, by which the Ivorian government officially recognised more than 69,000 Burkinabe and approximately 1,500 Malians as refugees.
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Many of these individuals had been registered as asylum seekers since May 2021, after fleeing escalating violence in northern Côte d’Ivoire and instability in their home countries.
In a statement, the African Commission said the decision aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly the rights to dignity, non-discrimination, and the right to seek and obtain asylum.
It also noted that the move reflects the principles of the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, which allows for group-based, or prima facie, recognition of refugees during large-scale displacement.
Group recognition
According to the commission, group recognition helps ensure “rapid protection in accordance with regional law,” especially in situations where thousands are forced to flee due to events “seriously disturbing public order,” as defined in Article I(2) of the Convention.
By granting formal refugee status, Côte d’Ivoire has strengthened protections against the forced return of people to unsafe conditions and paved the way for refugees to access essential rights, including legal documentation, basic services, freedom of movement, and family unity.
"The commission emphasises that recognition of status consolidates the guarantee of non-refoulement and facilitates effective access to the rights attached to this status, in particular documentation, access to essential services, family unity and freedom of movement in accordance with the law," the statement reads.
Issuance of refugee documents
While welcoming this “major step forward,” the African Commission urged the Ivorian government to ensure the full and timely implementation of the decree, particularly the prompt issuance of refugee documents and the availability of effective legal remedies. It also encouraged the mobilisation of national resources and international support to assist both refugees and host communities.
The commission further called for continued collaboration between Ivorian authorities, national human rights institutions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and humanitarian partners to ensure lasting protection and support for refugees.
It also urged other African countries party to the 1969 OAU Convention to adopt appropriate recognition mechanisms during mass displacement, while upholding human rights standards and procedural safeguards.
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