By RFIPosted on 04-01-2020Modified on 04-01-2020 at 23:06

Asylum seekers returning from Libya torched their accommodation center near Agadez, where a thousand people live pending the issuance of a refugee card.

Forced after a multi-day protest sit-in outside the premises of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Agadez, asylum seekers set fire to their accommodation center, a camp located 15 km from Agadez and where a thousand people live pending a possible refugee card.

“ 80% of the reception center destroyed by a minority of refugees from Darfur in Agadez who only want to hear about resettlement in Europe. Destroying the asylum space in Niger or elsewhere is easier than building and protecting it. It's a sad day for the protection of refugees in Niger, ”wrote Vincent Cochetel, UNHCR's special envoy for the situation in the central Mediterranean, on his Twitter account.

80% of the reception center destroyed by a minority of refugees from Darfur in Agadez who only want to hear about resettlement to Europe. Destroying the asylum space in #Niger or elsewhere is easier than building & protecting it. It is a sad day for refugee protection in Niger. pic.twitter.com/Uf2nK6cxed

vincent cochetel (@cochetel) January 4, 2020

According to several sources, asylum seekers demand, among other things, refugee status with immediate issuance of their cards, quality care and better collaboration with the UNHCR and other humanitarian partners.

The governor of Agadez believes that the migrants posed " false problems ". The center has water, food, a doctor. Also according to the governor, more than 160 refugee cards have recently been issued. " The determination process is very advanced, " says UNHCR. Other cards will soon be distributed by the Nigerien authorities, we learned.

After the camp was set on fire, the governor of the region denounced " the ingratitude of the refugees ". An investigation is underway to determine the extent of the damage. The perpetrators of this act will be prosecuted. Despite this incident, says a UNHCR source, several hundred refugees at the mercy of the harmattan will be relocated. He made five degrees at Agadez this Saturday.

    On the same subject

    Sahel: in operation with FAMA and Barkhane in Gourma [Reportage]

    Niger: police station attacked near a gold panning site in Gourma

    U.S. plans major troop reduction in Sahel

    comments