ULAA, United Nations Discuss Liberian Refugees Saga

Posted to the web 5 April 2008

 

 
Bryan's Road, Maryland (April 4, 2008):- The concerns of   Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) over the Liberian refugee saga in Ghana have been brought to the attention of the United Nations through its Under Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa, Amb. Chieck Sidi Diarra.

The concerns of the Union were expressed to Under Secretary General Diarra by the National President of the Union, Mr. Emmanuel S. Wettee, and the Chairman of the External Affairs Committee of the Union, Mr. Sam Togba Slewion, during an International development Forum in New York on Wednesday, April 3, which was organized and hosted by the Amb. Milton Nathaniel Barnes, Liberia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.  

In a discussion with Under Secretary General Diarra,, who is also High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the two officials indicated that the Union is troubled by the response of the UN to the Ghanaian crisis and briefed him about the role the Union is playing to address the plight of its compatriots in Ghana and other host countries.

Mr. Diarra, who appeared very interested in the discussion, responded that at moment he may not have all the answers, but encouraged the Union officials to contact his office immediately for an appointment to further dialogue on the issue, along with other experts in office. He assured the Union officials that he will prioritize the meeting to address such volatile situation.

Prior to attending the forum, the Union officials met with Amb. Barnes for a one-hour meeting at the new location of the Permanent Mission, with the Ghanaian refugee crisis at the top of the agenda. Amb. Barnes also expressed his concerned for the problem.

He also assured the Union officials that he will assist the Union to obtain access to other important stakeholders, including the office of the UNHCR.

It can be recalled that recently Liberian refugees in Ghana staged a demonstration to protest plans by the Ghanaian government to integrate them in the Ghanaian society and are demanding to be either repatriated with a $1,000 package or move to a third country. Women and men were arrested and 30 refugees have been deported to Liberia.

Following the incident, the Union issued a Position Statement expressing its concerns about the situation and among other things called on the Liberian government to develop a plan to address the issues of repatriation and resettlement for Liberian refugees in other countries and internally displaced Liberians.

In an apparent response to the sentiments contained in the Union's statement, the Liberian Government, in an Official Response to the Ghanaian refugee crisis issued on Tuesday, April 1, a copy of which was presented to the Union's officials by Amb. Barnes, noted “in continuation of efforts aimed at gradual orderly repatriation of our citizens living in refugee's camps across the sub-region and beyond, a Government delegation shall be dispatched to the sub-region to meet with Liberian refugees and discuss their plight and possible plans for their return to contribute their quotas to the national development."

Meanwhile, as the Union continues to raise funds to implement its humanitarian assistance to the refugees in Ghana through its National Social Service Commission, there are plans to address the conditions of refugees in other countries through partnership with stakeholders, including the Governments of Liberia and host countries, and the UNHCR. The Union's delegation also briefed Amb. Barnes about the partnership plan and its humanitarian efforts.

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