the overwhelming majority Burkinabé and Malian immigrants, remained at the Guiglo camp35—unable to return to their homes and land because of threats from pro-Gbagbo forces and some members of population native to the region.36 During the forced displacement of immigrants and non-native Ivorians, some Guérés—the main population native to the region—retook land that they had previously sold or ceded to those who fled.37 Non-natives began returning to villages in Guiglo department38 in 2005.39 In Bloléquin department, most non-natives could not start returning until 2007 or 2008.40 Burkinabés from several villages in western Côte d’Ivoire told Human Rights Watch that, after reconciliation ceremonies involving native and non-native populations, they were able to regain without difficulty any land that Guérés had taken over. But in other villages, some Guérés, backed by the Gbagbo government, imposed extortionate conditions before permitting the return of displaced non-natives; these varied from village to village, or even tuteur to tuteur. In some villages, some Guérés demanded that immigrants and non-native Ivorians give back part of the parcel previously sold or ceded in order to be able to return to the village. Other Guérés demanded money from displaced non-natives before allowing them to return to the village or reacquire their land. Some Guérés even resold the person’s parcel while he was displaced.41 In Bloléquin department, where anti-immigrant hostility appeared particularly severe, the Ivorian government, humanitarian organizations, and the opposed communities came to an agreement at a February 2008 workshop aimed at permitting the remaining displaced 35 “Increased Returns of Internally Displaced Persons Require More Funding,” IOM, May 9, 2007. 36 Human Rights Watch interviews with Burkinabé immigrants, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 37 Human Rights Watch interviews with Burkinabé immigrants, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013; and with humanitarian officials, Abidjan and western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. See also Interpeace, “Dynamiques et Capacités de Gestion des Conflits à l’Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire: Le cas des Régions du Cavally et du Guémon,” January 2013, http://www.ci.undp.org/publication/Ivoire%20-%20March2013.pdf (accessed August 29, 2013), p. 33. 38 A department in Côte d’Ivoire is an administrative area overseen by a prefect. It generally comprises several smaller administrative areas known as sub-prefectures, which are in turn overseen by a sub-prefect. Prefects and sub-prefects are the Executive’s representatives for their particular area. See Ordonnance n° 2011-262 du 28 septembre 2011 portant orientation de l’organisation générale de l’Administration Territoriale de l’Etat, http://www.dgddl.interieur.gouv.ci/?page=cadre&cat=ordonnances (accessed September 3, 2013). 39 Human Rights Watch interviews with Burkinabé immigrants, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 40 Human Rights Watch interviews with Burkinabé immigrants, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013; and with humanitarian officials, Abidjan and western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 41 Human Rights Watch interviews with Burkinabé immigrants, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013; and with humanitarian officials, Abidjan and western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 21 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | OCTOBER 2013