Mauritanian Refugee Returns to Her Village
After nearly 20 years in exile in Senegal, thousands of Mauritanian refugees are returning to their home country. Recently elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi has promised to help refugees return to the country as quickly as possible.
Benta Yero, a single mother was driven from her home in 1989 when a border dispute escalated into ethnic riots. She tells of her return from Senegal to her Mauritanian village.
"We celebrated before we left. We had dinner and then we sang and danced all night. The griot came and we sang songs in all languages, in Arabic, Fular, and Wolof. I had lots of fun with my friends. I do not know when I will see again.
I will miss them but I must go because I cannot stay a refugee forever. More importantly, there is no place like home.
I took photos with me but the one of my father is especially important. He was the owner of our house in Mauritania.
He was also forced out and died in Senegal of a heart attack. I always have his photo with me. I always look at it to remember him.
The trucks came. Our belongings were loaded inside the trucks and our journey back home began.
The boat arrived in Mauritania and every type of Mauritanian was there - blacks, Arabs, officials.
When I first set foot on Mauritanian land I was very happy but suddenly I remembered what happened in 1989. Back then, we had to leave without any warning.
We were expelled with no money and no clothes. We left everything behind and became refugees in Senegal. I was happy at first but I had pain in my heart.
On arriving at my old village, we were given supplies, cooking materials, pots, blankets and money. Every family got a tent to stay in.
I was hurt and shocked to see my father's house – the house where I was born. It is completely destroyed.
My father was an important man but now I am poor. I am hurt that I cannot rebuild it because I am a woman and my kids are too young to do it.
It will be difficult but it is worth it because Senegal is not our country.
I brought my kids here because they are Mauritanian. The restoration of our basic rights is the most important thing.
I want my kids to grow up here so tomorrow they can grow up to be important people – leaders."
