Liberian refugees allowed to enter Ghana, Sierra Leone

May 14, 1996

Web posted at: 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT)

TAKORADI, Ghana (CNN) -- Thousands of weary refugees from strife-torn Liberia ended their odyssey of misery along the West African coast Tuesday after Ghana and Sierra Leone relented and allowed the Liberians ashore.

More than 3,000 refugees from the rusty Nigerian freighter Bulk Challenge streamed into the western Ghana port of Takoradi, while Sierra Leone admitted about 1,000 refugees who had survived six days at sea in the chartered fishing boat Victory Reefer with little food or water.

Both governments had earlier refused entry to the refugees, apparently to force Liberia's warlords to observe a peace accord, but came under heavy international pressure to change their minds.

The refugees are fleeing the violent civil war in Liberia. It was the second time the freighter had returned to Takoradi . After refueling at the port Sunday, the freighter was forced to go back, reportedly because of a generator problem.

The vessel headed east toward Nigeria Monday night, after being rejected first in Ivory Coast and then in Ghana. Ghana did, however, provide passengers with food, water and medicine, and at least 16 ill passengers were allowed to get off, said Phil Doherty of Doctors Without Borders, an international relief group.

"Care must be taken in order not to create a panic situation in Monrovia which will unduly generate more exodus of Liberians into neighboring countries," Ghana's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Floating misery

The refugees left the Liberian capital of Monrovia aboard the Bulk Challenge on May 5. At least three people have died on the ship where disease, including dysentery, is increasing among the passengers. The freighter has only one toilet.

In related news, fierce fighting ripped through Monrovia Tuesday, a day after rival gunmen called for peace. The gun battles disrupted two days of relative calm in the capital.

The U.S. embassy, which is protected by Marines, advised its staff to move around the sea-front compound with extreme caution after fighting edged closer to it.

Reuters contributed to this report.



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