Thousands seek asylum in Europe

Eight West African nations are among 43 countries heavily represented among asylum-seekers in Europe and Australia, according to statistics provided by UNHCR. Sierra Leoneans topped the list of West African asylum-seekers in 17 European countries and Australia, accounting for 1,440 of the 65,617 applicants registered in January and February 2001. There were also 1,044 Nigerians, 657 Guineans, 451 Malians and 340 Mauritanians. Another 309 asylum-seekers came from Cameroon, while there were 288 Togolese and 246 Ivorians. Other African countries with sizeable contingents were Somalia (1,617), Democratic Republic of Congo (1,443), Algeria (1,285), Angola (990), Republic of Congo (429), Sudan (414), Rwanda (326) and Ethiopia (282). The 17 European host countries were Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Swizerland and the United Kingdom.