Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
07ABIDJAN187 | 2007-02-21 17:05:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Abidjan |
VZCZCXRO3511 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHAB #0187/01 0521705 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 211705Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2612 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0537 |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABIDJAN 000187 |
1. (SBU) Prior to the current crisis in Guinea, UNHCR had predicted that large-scale population displacements would not result from civil disturbances in Guinea. However, the dynamics of the crisis have UNHCR officials on edge and they remain vigilant should the situation change. UNHCR offices in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone reported the following: - No large-scale population movements into neighboring countries have been reported; - UNHCR visited the Laine and Kouankan refugee camps in the Guinea Forest region and reports that refugees in these camps have not been affected by the recent demonstrations; - Approximately 500 refugees have registered to return to Liberia, but UNHCR reports the number of refugees who registered as a result of recent events is limited. The majority of refugees, according to UNHCR field staff, still prefer to remain where they are. The next return convoy is scheduled for February 21; - None of the Ivoirian refugees (Kouankan II Camp) have requested assistance to return to Cote d'Ivoire; - Some refugees have requested to be relocated to Mali; - UNHCR is reporting that some 20 prisoners in Nzerekore may have died as a result of mistreatment following their transfer to a military camp during the demonstrations. UNHCR is investigating to determine if any refugees being held in the prison are among the victims; - UNHCR Freetown has a working contingency plan to assist up to a possible 20,000 refugees in Sierra Leone and identified key areas of possible access in Kambia, Kailahun, Koinadugu, and Kono. 2. (U) Copies of the contingency plans for Liberia and Sierra Leone have been forwarded to PRM/AFR as well as the UNHCR mission reports to Laine and Kouankan Camps. Guinean Authorities Seek Refuge in Laine Camp -------------------------- 3. (C) During the UNHCR mission to Laine Camp, refugees stated that several Guineans, including the local Commandant of the Gendarmerie and the Assistant to the Sous-Prefect of Laine village, sought refuge in Laine Camp at the height of the demonstrations and violence. The refugees allowed them to spend the night in the camp, but these persons have not returned since February 14. Inter-Agency Mission to Guinea-Cote d'Ivoire Border -------------------------- -------------------------- 4. (SBU) An official with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Cote d'Ivoire reported that the week-long interagency mission to the Cote d'Ivoire-Guinea border has concluded its mission and is preparing a final report with their recommendations for follow-up. The border area with Guinea is currently under control of the rebel Forces Nouvelles (FN). The mission met with FN leaders, local authorities, traditional leaders, and humanitarian partners working in this region. The mission confirmed that the border is closed on the Guinea side, that there is no evidence of any large-scale population movement into Cote d'Ivoire, and that commercial activity between villages on both sides of the border has been disrupted. FN leaders expressed their willingness to work with the international community should refugees enter this part of Cote d'Ivoire and that they would not force them back into Guinea. (Note: it is not clear how many, if any, persons tried to cross the border but were stopped by the Guinean authorities. End note.) The UN is organizing a Heads of Agency Mission to Odienne on February 23-24 to receive the report and finalize a contingency plan for Cote d'Ivoire. An Embassy official will participate. ARC Reports Security Incidents in Lofa County -------------------------- 5. (SBU) Paula Nawrocki, Country Director for the American Refugee Committee (ARC) in Liberia, reported that their office compound in Voinjama (upper Lofa County) was attacked during the night of February 11. According to Nawrocki, several robbers, reportedly carrying automatic weapons, ABIDJAN 00000187 002 OF 002 followed two ARC staff members back to their compound after they returned from dinner. After entering the compound, they stole 2 laptop computers, 3 cameras, cell phones, keys to cars and motorcycles, and one vehicle. Nawrocki said they had learned the vehicle's window was shot as it ran the border checkpoint and has since been spotted in Macenta (Guinea). (Note: these items are mostly funded out of a PRM grant for ARC's activities in Lofa County. End note.) Nawrocki said a full police report would be provided to UNMIL. Other PRM-funded NGOs in Lofa County (IMC, IRC, CVT) reported that their compounds were not targeted during this time period. Comment -------------------------- 6. (SBU) The recent violence in Guinea unfolded as UNHCR Representatives in the region participated in a joint meeting in Dakar to discuss progress in the Liberian repatriation effort. Representatives agreed during the meeting to hold to the June 2007 deadline for repatriation, although UNHCR Ghana is still pushing to extend the deadline. They also agreed to move forward on local integration efforts in all host countries. Recently, UNHCR Guinea has used the announcement of local integration after June 2007 as an effective tool in promoting continued repatriation. This provided refugees in Guinea with a clear benchmark against which to make a decision as to whether or not they wished to return to Liberia or remain in Guinea as their durable solution. However, the current situation in Guinea could disrupt this effort, and the longer it continues, the less credible an alternative local integration might appear to the refugees. Fortunately, the refugees do not seem to have been caught up in recent events or threatened in any way. RefCoord will monitor closely UNHCR's course of action in the coming weeks. Hooks |