A good number of Ivorian refugees who have been in Liberia since the 2010/2011 post-electoral crisis have decided to return home. The 66th and 67th convoy of refugees arrived in Dohouba, Bin Houye Sub Prefecture in the Zouan-Hounien division, in the far west of Côte d'Ivoire, by river with 348 refugees making up 109 families.



The voluntary repatriation operation was facilitated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) with the Bangladeshi contingent of UNOCI providing security escort for the refugees who were heading for various destinations including Danane, Bin Houye and Zouan-Hounien. The repatriation involving some 1000 Ivorians is expected to go on until 6 December 2013.

The successive repatriation operations in recent days are a testimony of the commitment of the exiles to return home in view of the improved security situation and social climate in the country, an official of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Vanie Serge remarked. Mr. Vanie who is a staff of the Service for Assistance and Aid to Refugees and Stateless Persons (SAARA) called on the returnees to integrate themselves in their various communities by wiping out memories of the past and stretching out their hand to others in mutual respect in order to contribute to the strengthening of social cohesion.