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Written by T. Saye Goinleh
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Thursday, 23 August 2012 06:03 |
Liberians residing in various camps in the Republic Of Guinea have complained of abandonment by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since they were told to register before June 30 this year if they wanted to be repatriated. They are alleging that preference has been given to Guinean nationals who infiltrated the system and registered as Liberians for repatriation.
Their spokesman who only identified himself as “Mr. Refugee” for fear of reprisal told our correspondent in Nimba County that since registration exercise was concluded in June, many Guineans have benefited from the process and are seen receiving a repatriation package of three hundred and seventy-five United States dollars (US$350.00) each for ages eighteen and above, while those below 18 years receive two hundred and fifty United States dollars (US$250.00) for below eighteen years respectively.
Mr. Refugee further alleged that Liberians are usually mocked by Guineans, who ask in this colloquial manner, “When your will go home? My brother I just from Liberia and your country is sweet; what time your will go home now?’’
A week before ‘’Mr. Refugee’’ spoke to the In Profile Daily in Ganta, another man who introduced himself as a Catholic priest from the Laine’ Refugee Camp in Guinea, via mobile phone, alleged that the repatriation of Liberians is in limbo because since they were told to register in May this year, nothing has been done to send them back home.
The Catholic clergyman who preferred not to be named, accused the UNHCR of completely abandoned Liberian refugees in Guinea by cutting off food supplies, medical care and other vital benefits intended for them. He pointed out that if they were not ready to send them back home, there was no need to announce a deadline of registration for possible repatriation. The Cahtolic prelate questioned: “Since you people were not in the position to carry us home, then, why make fool of us?
Efforts to get the reaction of the Guinean branch of the UNHCR was not possible as those who brought a convoy of Liberians at the Ganta police station told our reporter they could not speak English fluently and in fact came on the trip on behalf of UNHCR are not clothed with authority to talk to newsmen especially in a foreign land. They also refused to give their bosses’ contacts. |
