A total of 1,809 refugees have been allowed to enter since Guinea officially reopened the border last Thursday at three crossing points. The new arrivals come from Sierra Leone s Kono district, were there has been a recent upsurge in fighting between government forces and the RUF rebels. Among the latest arrivals were people who said that eight villages along the Meli River were attacked and burned last Tuesday, they believed by RUF rebels. The authorities continue to restrict entry to the vulnerables, suspecting that there are a substantial number of RUF combatants in the groups of asylum-seekers.
Authorities report that several have appeared to be heavily drugged and aggressive.
Meanwhile, there is no confirmation of how many people are still waiting on the other side of the border. Refugee estimates last week ranged as high as 10,000. Conditions are very bad, with cold and rainy weather prevailing in the region. One pregnant woman and three children have reportedly died. Some of those on the other side of the border have reportedly retreated to nearby villages to seek some shelter.