More than 19,000 Ivorians have fled to Liberia, according to UNHCR

At a crossroads of Abidjan, December 22. According to UNHCR, more than 19,000 Ivorians have joined Liberia to escape fighting between supporters of Gbagbo and Ouattara supporters. REUTERS / Luc Gnago More than 19,000 Ivorians have fled into neighboring Liberia to escape the post-election violence in their country, announced Tuesday, December 28 the UN.

The majority of these refugees are women and children. About 62% of them are under 18 years, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Among these refugees are "supporters of Alassane Ouattara and Gbagbo supporters," said a statement explaining that they fled out of fear that "the political deadlock could lead to civil war." "The majority are pro-Ouatarra.

In recent days, there are pro-Gbagbo," the UNHCR. The Constitutional Council has declared Ivorian Laurent Gbagbo elected after the presidential election on November 28, invalidating the results of the Independent Electoral Commission had announced the victory of Alassane Ouattara, President recognized by almost all the international community.

The post-election violence killed at least 173 deaths from December 16 to 21, mostly supporters of Mr. Ouattara, the UN says 53 dead since late November, including 14 members of the Defence Forces and Security (FDS) according to the Gbagbo camp.

• "UN says 14,000 flee Ivory Coast for Liberia" and related posts (26/12/2010)
• Ivory Coast's presidential instability leading to mass exodus (26/12/2010)
• Tailoring Group : Liberia (03/12/2010)
• Remembers Group : Liberia (14/12/2010)
• Liberia Silvia Blanco : Nicaragua (01/12/2010)