Liberian refugees to go home

2005-06-24 14:33

Lagos - Nigeria is set to repatriate about 2 000 Liberian refugees following the end of civil war in that country, officials said on Friday following an accord signed between the two sides.

Nigerian government secretary Ufot Ekaette, who signed Thursday's accord in Abuja, said Nigeria would continue to work in collaboration with the Liberian government to ensure the return of sustainable peace to the war-weary country.

He said Nigeria would also help ensure that planned presidential elections in October would usher in a new Liberia where "every citizen will have a future".

Philip Dwuye, secretary of Morovia's refugee repatriation committee, commended Nigeria for harbouring the refugees for the past 15 years.

"Nigeria's effort is a demonstration of the African adage that says when your neighbour's house is on fire, you should help to put the fire out," he said.

The repatriation exercise is to be conducted under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Liberia was wracked by long period of bloody civil war which forced thousands of its nationals to flee to neighbouring West African countries.

A fragile peace returned to the country two years after former warlord turned president Charles Taylor was forced to relinquish power to an interim government under international pressure.

Taylor is currently in exile in Nigeria, which is resisting international pressure to turn him in to be tried for war crimes.

- AFP