Chad Refugees Attacked Amid Reports Of Witchcraft

Dosseye, Chad (AHN) - Refugees in camps in Chad remain hostile toward alleged witches, although four women accused of sorcery were acquitted by a judge of any wrongdoing.

Earlier this year, 11 refugees fell ill and died within a single week at the Dosseye refugee camp in southern Chad. Allegations of witchcraft immediately circulated and led to cases of assault and arson.

After the deaths - mostly from diarrhea, malaria and malnutrition - many refugees went to traditional healers for treatment, and if they succumbed to their illnesses it was often explained as witchcraft.

Dosseye, is host to over 5,500 of the 45,000 from the Central African Republic (CAR) refugees in Chad. Two-thirds of the refugees are ethnic Fulbé/Peul, who recognize both the existence of witches and the role of the traditional healer and exorcist, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

While humanitarian workers in southern Chad work to reintegrate the women, it's clear that violence and accusations could flare up again if other refugees fall ill, the UNHCR warns.

Armed conflicts and rising criminality have led since late 2005 to the internal displacement of 180,000 Chadians.

Aside from the 180,000 refugees in the southeast, there are some 240,000 Sudanese refugees from Darfur living in 12 UNHCR-run refugee camps in eastern Chad.