UN refugee agency welcomes ceasefire between Côte d'Ivoire rebel and loyalist forces

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today welcomed the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Lomé, Togo, between the two rebel movements in western Côte d'Ivoire and loyalist forces.

“We hope [yesterday’s] ceasefire will contribute to improving general security conditions in the west, in particular for Liberian refugees trapped in the conflict, and facilitate humanitarian operations in the region,” UNHCR spokesperson Delphine Marie said at a press briefing in Geneva.

“We also support the Paris process and call on all parties who will take part in the talks as of tomorrow to find a peaceful resolution. They should also make commitments for the safety of humanitarian staff and operations on the territory of Côte d'Ivoire and for the free movement of civilians, including refugees,” she added.

Ms. Marie said UNHCR remained extremely concerned about Liberian refugees caught in the conflict in western Côte d'Ivoire, as many of them have been reportedly prevented from fleeing back to Liberia and are falsely accused by the local population of being involved with the rebels.

“UNHCR is appealing to the local population and young loyalists manning numerous checkpoints in the region to stop harassing refugees and let those who want to leave Côte d'Ivoire depart,” she said. “The checkpoints have made any movement nearly impossible for the refugees.”

In other news, Ms. Marie announced that Deputy High Commissioner Mary Ann Wyrsch will leave tomorrow on an 11-day mission to West Africa, where she will get a first-hand look at several ongoing operations.

During her four-nation visit, Ms. Wyrsch will also discuss administrative, financial and management issues with UNHCR staff involved in some of the refugee agency's most challenging operations, the spokesperson said. These include current refugee movements in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire, as well as the Sierra Leone repatriation. She will travel to border areas and refugee or returnee camps to meet recently arrived refugees from Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia. She will also meet Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia, as well as recent returnees in Sierra Leone.