Liboi MCA Hussein Ahmed with other leaders asking UNHCR to replace top officials at the Dadaab refugee camp. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
A section of leaders and elders on Monday demanded that the top officials at the Dadaab Refugee Camp replaced before they allow normal operations to continue at the camp.
The leaders and elders led by Dmajale MCA Diriye Abdi said that UNHCR should replace the head of operations at the Dadaab refugee camp, Mr. Jean Bosco and his assistant Ivana Unluova.
Mr. Abdi said as leaders, they will not allow any activity to take place in the camps until the UN high commission replaces the two officials.
Mr. Abdi accused the two UN officials of making decisions without consulting and involving the local leadership.
“We are telling UNHCR that it will not be business as usual with them as long as this man (Bosco) remains in office. We have had many heads of operations before who worked in harmony with our community and the local leadership, let them replace him,” said the MCA.
Harry Mohamed, an elder, said for peace between the refugees and host community to prevail the two officials should be replaced.
“Our environment has been degraded for the past 27 years. But in the spirit of brotherhood, we accepted to continue staying with our brothers and sisters from Somalia because of what was happening in their country. In return, we expected that UNHCR will honor its side of the bargain by providing cooperate social responsibilities. That seems not to be happening at the moment,” he said.
The host community claimed UNCHR has given notice of termination of employment to more than 100 youths from the host community amid claims that refugees are destroying the environment.