Ivory Coast has bolstered its border security following the influx of “several unusual waves of refugees” arriving from neighboring Mali, according to officials in the West African nation.
Ivory Coast’s National Security Council (NSC) said in a statement that the “influx appears to be due to attacks against civilians by armed terrorist groups in several areas of southern Mali.”
“The National Security Council has instructed its Executive Secretary to take all necessary steps to register these asylum seekers,” the statement said.
“Furthermore, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces has been instructed to take appropriate measures to strengthen security at our country’s northern borders,” it added.
Reuters/ Oyenike Oyeniyi