Refugees want guarantees before repatriation

Refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) have spurned their president's request that they return home, saying the conditions were not yet right, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported on Thursday.

The agency reported that 20 CAR officials visited the refugees this week in Zongo, a town in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo and urged them to repatriate voluntarily. But spokesmen for the refugees said the government must rebuild their homes and put looters of the failed coup on trial. Additionally the refugees, most of whom are civil servants, demanded payment of their salary arrears and guarantees of their safety should they return home.

Under UNHCR regulations, refugees can only return voluntarily. Moreover, repatriation would have to be organised legally between CAR and the Congo and security guarantees must be given for the refugees.

"UNHCR must also be given monitoring capability so it can supervise the first months of the refugees' reintegration in their country of origin," the agency reported.

The refugees had fled to escape the botched coup of 28 May and the fighting.

UNHCR said it was preparing to transfer 23,000 refugees to a new camp "within the next few days". This is to follow last month's the relocation of 1,250 former CAR soldiers from Zongo to Mole, a site 45 km south of Zongo able to host 10,000 people. The soldiers had also fled after the failed coup.

Wells have been dug and transit hangers and classrooms completed. Moreover, the road to the site is "in good condition". The refugees at Mole will receive a plot of land, wood and nails to build their shelters.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council members said on Thursday they were profoundly concerned at the continued acts of violence and intensification of internal tension in CAR. Council President Moctar Ouane of Mali said that Council members were also concerned at the gravity of the economic situation in CAR and "urged the international community to mobilise in favour" of the country.