Ivorian refugees flee to Liberian border towns

Ivory Coast recently went to the polls but the outcome has been disputed, leading to violence.

PRETORIA, November 19 (ANA) – More Ivorian citizens are crossing over to Liberian border towns as a result of the uncertain political situation in that country, the UN said in a statement.

Ivory Coast recently went to the polls but the outcome has been disputed, leading to violence.

President Alassane Ouattara secured the October 31 election by more than 94%, but the West African nation is mired in a dispute after opposition leaders rejected the vote, accusing him of breaching the two-term limit for the presidency.

The Ivorian constitution limits presidents to two terms, but Ouattara, who is 78, said the approval of a new constitution in 2016 allowed him to seek another mandate.

He was expected to step down in 2020 but unexpectedly declared in 2018 that the new constitution had reset term limits that would have barred him from running again.

The UN said it was working closely with the government of Liberia to host thousands of refugees from the Ivory Coast at various border towns in the north-east and south-east.

“The refugees claim that even though there is not a physical war, the experience from their last war cannot allow them to wait till things get worse and therefore they are running away,” the UN said in a statement.

The humanitarian agency said many of the refugees are to be found in border towns of counties, including Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Sinoe and River Gee.

According to the Observer, Emmanuel Wheinyue, the spokesperson for Liberia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, said the country is not in a position to host refugees.

“There are lots of women and children who are fleeing their country to seek refuge here in Liberia. What the minister has told them is to observe the laws governing the country as well as international protocols.

“They need to remain peaceful while they are in the country. You can’t be running away from your country and then want to go back when things are not going on well,” Wheinyue was quoted as saying.

Wheinyue told the publication that food, medicine, water and shelter were immediate needs that were to be addressed by the government and partners.

“There are plans to reach other counties to assess the situation facing the refugees, but logistics is a serious challenge,” he said.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher