Refugees in CAR reject offer of voluntary return

Say they will only go back home when there’s a comprehensive peace agreement which includes all Darfuri groups

Darfuri refugees in Central African Republic’s (CAR’s) Bembere refugee camp rejected on Friday the offer of voluntary return to their homes.The camp leaders voiced the opinion of the refugees in a meeting with officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the camp administration.

Mohamed Khater Adam, spokesperson for the refugees in the Bembere camp, told Radio Dabanga that an international delegation including representatives of the UNHCR met with refugees in the camp and offered them voluntary return to Darfur.

The offer was made on the ground of the Doha peace agreement. The UNHCR stated that levels of violence in the region had decreased, which should enable them to return to their homes.

“The refugees refused the offer made at the meeting, noting that war, aerial bombardment, displacement and violence continues in Darfur,” Mohamed Khater Adam said, adding, “The refugees told the delegation that the Doha Agreement was partial and there needed to be a comprehensive agreement that included all Darfuri movements to ensure peace. Only in those conditions will they be able to return back home.”