US urges Myanmar to help implement Annan Commission recommendations

US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert. Photo: Reuters
US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert. Photo: Reuters

The USA has urged the Myanmar government to fulfil its commitment to work with UNHCR and UNDP to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.

"We welcome the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by UNHCR, UNDP, and the Myanmar government to support the creation of conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to Burma, whether to their places of origin or of their choosing," US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Thursday.

Nauert said this is a positive step and they see this MoU as a confidence-building measure that, if effectively implemented, could allow much-needed humanitarian assistance to reach all the affected communities and assist Myanmar in creating the necessary conditions for voluntary return and to support recovery and resilience-based development for the benefit of all communities living in Rakhine State.