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Civilians flee to Guinea

    ABIDJAN

    Over 2,000 people have fled Sierra Leone for neighbouring Guinea since fighting broke out in early May between the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and pro-government forces, UNHCR in Abidjan told IRIN on Thursday.

    In May, some 2,300 people arrived at Kalako refugee camp in Forecariah, western Guinea, after crossing the border via Kambia District in northern Sierra Leone. Kambia is not far from Lunsar and Rogberi Junction, the scene of fierce fighting in recent days.

    UNHCR reported some tension in the camp between suspected RUF
    collaborators and former Sierra Leone Army and ex-Civil Defence Forces fighters. Recent arrivals at the camp told UNHCR officials that they fled for their lives because planes had been flying overhead and villages had been attacked.

    More refugees are expected to arrive in Guinea in the next few days, according to UNHCR, which said there had been no significant refugee movement recently into Liberia.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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