How do refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone affect Guinea’s population?

Beginning in the 1990s, Guinea experienced a significant influx of refugees fleeing civil unrest in Liberia and Sierra Leone. By 2002, the country was home to approximately 150,000 of these refugees, with the total number of arrivals reaching several hundred thousand as the conflicts intensified.12

This migration contributed to a notable increase in the number of non-Guinean residents in the country. However, the presence of these refugees also exacerbated regional tensions, as Guinea became embroiled in the civil wars of its neighbors. The situation was further complicated by accusations of support for opposition dissidents between Guinea and Liberia, and the influx of refugees added to the strain on Guinea’s stability during a period marked by internal political challenges and cross-border military incursions.324