A/HRC/25/73 and he announced the return of 16,000 Ivorian refugees by the end of 2013. The Independent Expert draws the attention of the authorities to some major issues related to the return of those who have left the country, in particular the fact that their homes have been occupied and their farms pillaged. III. Security situation A. Achievements and challenges 24. The Independent Expert notes an improvement in the overall security situation in the country. Since the attack in March 2013, there have been no reports of major incidents resulting from external threats. This is in particular attributable to the efforts of the authorities, who set up two new battalions (in San Pedro, in the south-west, and in Odienné, in the north) and to joint patrols carried out by UNOCI and the United Nations Mission in Liberia and which have strengthened the security forces in the cities along the Liberian border. Politically, the release of some figures from the previous regime in August 2013 has also apparently helped improve the situation. 25. The Independent Expert noted the final report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia of the United Nations Security Council, which reported the use of Liberian mercenaries by the Ivorian authorities in the border areas, as well as information according to which Ivorian officials had reportedly ordered the killing of pro-Gbagbo refugees in Ghana (S/2013/683, paras. 30 to 40). He considers that the Ivorian authorities should provide a specific response to the international community owing to the seriousness of these allegations. He has noted that the Ghanaian Government has denied these allegations. 26. Domestically, the security situation remains fragile, as protest movements composed of former fighters are pushing for the authorities to keep the promises made to them, in particular in respect of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme. The situation is tenuous owing to attacks and robberies committed mainly by former fighters and dozos, and by the prevalence of weapons, a legacy of the crisis. In the Yamoussoukro area alone, three attacks were committed on 10, 12 and 15 September 2013, reportedly by dozos and former fighters. An attack on the vehicle of the director of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Authority committed on 1 July 2013 left one gendarme dead, and it too was reportedly carried out by former fighters and dozos. Mistrust of the FRCI in certain communities is an important factor to be taken into consideration in drawing up any overall security strategy. B. Dozos 27. Since the last visit by the Independent Expert, there have been several new reports of abuses committed by the dozos. They have carried out summary executions in Korhogo and subjected three persons suspected of committing various offences in Korhogo and San Pedro to ill-treatment. 28. The Independent Expert welcomes the publication of a report by UNOCI, in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), on abuses committed by dozos in Côte d’Ivoire between March 2009 and May 2013. According to the report, during the period under consideration at least 228 people were killed, 164 were wounded by gun shots or sharp objects and 162 were illegally arrested or detained by dozos. There were also at least 274 verified and confirmed cases of looting, arson and extortion committed by dozos, in particular in the regions near San 8 GE.14-10154