A total of 67,512 returnees crossed into Burkina Faso from Côte d'Ivoire at Yindere border post between October 2000 and February 2001, the Panafrican News Agency (PANA) reported on Tuesday, quoting police records. It said most of the returnees arrived destitute, blaming their condition on harassment and extortion by Ivorian security agents.
According to the report, Burkina Faso's minster of social action and national solidarity, Gilbert Ouedraogo, was on hand to welcome the latest batch, who numbered 2,000. The group, including 167 children, returned on Sunday. Ouedraogo said steps were being taken to ensure they were quickly resettled.
Health officials inoculated children under five years against tetanus, meningitis and yellow fever.
Political unrest in Côte d'Ivoire in recent months has been accompanied by the harassment of Burkinabes and other West African immigrants by groups of Ivorian youths and members of the security forces, human rights groups and news organisations have reported.
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