UNHCR, APRIL 2023 REFUGEES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION unable to regularise their status in a country of residence, unless a procedure exists to determine statelessness and grant the person nationality or the (temporary) status of state less person, and a route to acquire nationality in due course. Since 2000, the invocation of the ceased circumstances clause has been recommended by UNHCR in Africa for refugees from Sierra Leone (2008), Angola and Liberia (2012) and Rwanda (2013). The status of former Angolan and Rwandan refugees is of most concern in Central Africa. However, a majority of countries within the ICGLR have decided not to apply the ceased circumstances clause to Rwandan refugees. 161 Some long-term former refugees and their children born in exile have faced difficulties in being recognised as citizens when the “ceased circumstances” clause in the UN Refugee Convention has been invoked . This was the case for several hundred Liberians born in exile – or resident outside Liberia since children -across West Africa, who were denied recognition of citizenship by the Liberian authorities during registration procedures for issue of passports to enable continued residence in the country of refuge or voluntary repatriation to Liberia.162 effective migration procedures, efficient service provision and improved public safety. We further commit to ensure, through appropriate measures, that migrants are issued adequate documentation and civil registry documents, such as birth, marriage and death certificates, at all stages of migration, as a means to empower migrants to effectively exercise their human rights.” Further detail is provided on civil registration, access to consular assistance etc. See https://www.iom.int/resources/global-compact-safe-orderly-and-regular-migration/res/73/195. 161 “Implementation of the Comprehensive Strategy for the Rwandan Refugee Situation, including UNHCR's recommendations on the Applicability of the ‘ceased circumstances' Cessation Clauses", UNHCR, 31 December 2011. The recommendation for Rwanda applied only to those who left the country from 1959 to 1998, while it is open to any refugee to apply on an individual basis for continuing protection. See also “No consensus on implementation of cessation clause for Rwandan refugees”, IRIN, 12 July 2013. 162 Manby, ‘Migration, Nationality and Statelessness in West Africa’. 55