The number of Togolese fleeing political unrest since last month's presidential election to neighboring Benin and Ghana has dropped sharply, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Friday.

"Yesterday (Thursday) saw 355 new arrivals at Hilakondji in Benin, and 218 arrivals at Aflao in Ghana. As of last night, the major border crossing points were reported calm and quiet," the UN refugee agency said in a statement on its website.

The UNHCR said some 22,600 refugees have now been registered in the two countries since the outflow began on April 26 with the declaration of 39-year-old Faure Gnassingbe as winner of the election.

The refugee number includes some 12,000 in Benin and 10,681 in Ghana, it said.

Gnassingbe who was sworn into office Wednesday succeeds his late father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for 38 years and became the continent's longest-serving leader before he died on February 5.

Gnassingbe, was declared the head of state by the tiny west African country's forces shortly after the death of his father, but was forced to step down to contest the election following international outcry and threat of sanctions.

Source: Xinhua