Frédéric Sautereau

Ivorian Refugees in Liberia.

Since the beginning of December 2010 the Ivory Coast has two presidents. Alasanne Ouattara is recognized by the international community while Laurent Gbagbo is supported only by his friends and supporters. Since the elections more 25,000 Ivorians have fled to neighbouring Liberia. Some have left fearing another civil war in the Ivory Coast while others suffered threats and physical violence at the hands of the Forces Nouvelles. Rebels directed by Guillaume Soro, prime minister and supporter of Alasanne Ouattara.

The Ivory Coast refugees were accepted by Liberians from the same ethnic group.

Families are crowded into houses and schools where concerns such as sufficient food and drinking water have become a problem. The outcome for these refugees depends entirely on what will happen in the Ivory Coast capital.