UNHCR SIGNS REPATRIATON AGREEMENT FOR LIBERIAN REFUGEES IN

UNCLAS ACCRA 001921

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED CAPTION)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM GH LI
SUBJECT: UNHCR SIGNS REPATRIATON AGREEMENT FOR LIBERIAN REFUGEES IN
GHANA; REPORT OF FIRST DARFUR REFUGEES



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees
(UNHCR),the GOG, and the Government of Liberia signed a landmark
agreement on September 22 in Accra, providing for the voluntary
repatriation of Liberian refugees living in Ghana. Unlike the flawed
repatriation attempted during the 1990's, prospects for a more
durable solution for these Liberian refugees now appear brighter.
We expect few Liberians living in Ghana to repatriate immediately,
though improving conditions, particularly in the eastern Liberian
counties, could eventually lead to a larger exodus. Visiting UNHCR
Assistant High Commissioner told Emboffs he favored continuing with
resettlement of Liberian refugees from Ghana in tandem with
voluntary repatriation. There have also been media reports of some
60 refugees from Darfur, Sudan, entering Ghana. END SUMMARY.

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Come On Home
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2. (U) Officials representing the UNHCR, GOG, and GOL signed a
repatriation agreement on September 22 that proffers a legal and
operational framework for the orderly, voluntary return of Liberian
refugees. Both UNHCR and the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) will assist with logistics, with most refugees in
Ghana expected to travel by boat. UNHCR will provide food, basic
household items, and tools to refugees upon arrival in Liberia,
while the GOL will assist with the recovery of property and the re-
certification of academic credentials.


3. (SBU) The agreement is the culmination of many months of
speculation that have left some refugees apprehensive, since many
remember the failed repatriation attempts of the 1990's. This time,
UNHCR is striving for a better organized, more deliberate
repatriation. UNHCR reps told poloff and RefCoord that the UNHCR
plans to sign similar repatriation agreements with Sierra Leone and
Cote D'Ivoire within the next week. UNHCR is also planning to sign
repatriation memoranda of understanding with other West African
countries hosting large numbers of Liberians. This would form part
of UNHCR's assisted repatriation of up to 29,000 refugees from
throughout West Africa over the next three months.

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Resettlement to Continue
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4. (SBU) Visiting UN Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees
Kamel Morjane told Emboffs that he favored the continuation of
resettlement efforts while the repatriation was underway, although
he acknowledged this matter had been a subject of intense internal
debate during his visit here. He hoped for USG cooperation in
establishing more transparent criteria for resettlement in the U.S.,
noting that any refugee in his right mind with hopes of living in
the U.S. would never opt for repatriation to Liberia. He and UNHCR
Ghana representative Thomas Albrecht (protect) said they would not
want to guess how many Liberians in Ghana would initially seek
repatriation, although UNHCR has estimated the number at 2,700, in
addition to 300 who would repatriate on their own without
assistance. Morjane expected many refugees to be reticent to
repatriate in light of their concerns over security in Liberia,
schooling for their children, health, and the ability to earn a
livelihood. However, Albrecht was somewhat more hopeful, saying
that Liberian refugees in Ghana are cautious but eager to return
home.

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Trickle of Darfur Refugees in Ghana
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5. (SBU) Meanwhile, a trickle of refugees from other countries,
principally Sudan and Cote d'Ivoire has been arriving in Ghana at
the rate of about 50 per week for the past several weeks. According
to the September 21 Ghana Times, some 60 refugees from Sudan's
Darfur region arrived in Ghana this week. A member of the Ghana
Refugee Board confirmed to Refcoord that the GOG has given them
temporary shelter. Some Sudanese and Ivorian refugees have settled
provisionally at the predominantly Liberian Budumburam refugee camp
west of Accra, while others have opted for the predominantly Sierra
Leonan camp of Krisna, in Ghana's southwestern corner. While the
UNHCR has assumed initial responsibility for them, the newly
reconstituted Ghana Refugee Board will determine whether these new
arrivals qualify for refugee status. Morjane told Emboffs that
Ghana's reputation for stability was probably the main drawing card
for these refugees. While the Ivorians arrive overland or by boat
with little difficulty, the Sudanese head south on foot, often aided
by sympathetic truck drivers and immigration control officers along
their arduous journey.

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COMMENT
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6. (SBU) Most Ghanaians will probably welcome the repatriation
agreement. Many people here - and most government officials -
regard the Liberian refugees as an unsustainable burden and there
are some concerns about criminality among Liberian refugees.
Nonetheless, there is not significant pressure to be rid of the
Liberian refugees. According to Morjane, Ghana's Minister of
Interior told him before the public signing ceremony that, while he
would have to make some public criticism of the presence of Liberian
refugees here, he saw these Liberians as "brothers" whom Ghana had
to help. The Ghanaian Times feature editorial on September 22 cited
the reported arrival of Darfur refugees as "certainly
startling.their arrival has forcefully brought Darfur to our
doorstep." Nonetheless, the editorial did not raise concerns about
the presence of these refugees here, noting that, together with the
signing of the Liberian repatriation agreement on UN International
Peace Day, they serve as "a reminder to every Ghanaian of the
necessity of maintaining the relative peace and stability in the
country." Some observers point out that these refugees require few
government services and generate business for local shops. Over the
near term, we anticipate little enthusiasm among Ghana's 42,000-
strong Liberian community for repatriation, since most of them hail
from eastern counties that have not yet been declared safe. Most of
the initial tranche of Liberians voluntarily repatriating are more
likely to come from other countries in the region.

LANIER


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