By D Abraham Cooper, Sr.
June 2,2026
The Mano River Union (MRU) has been confronted with growing concerns over border security, alleged harassment of Liberian officials, and increasing irregular migration during a Joint Peace and Security Meeting involving stakeholders from Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
The one day meeting, held on June 2, 2026, at the Pékán-Barrage Border Post in Côte d’Ivoire, brought together security personnel, local authorities, youth representatives, and community members from both countries to assess the socio security situation along the Toulepleu-Zwedru border corridor during the first half of 2026.
Several Liberian representatives voiced strong concerns over what they described as the facilitation of irregular migration into Liberia through Ivorian territory.
Philip Nagbe, a Liberian border security officer, alleged that some Ivorian motorcyclists provide transportation and identification materials to foreign nationals from countries including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana before they reach the Liberian border.
“Liberia is not a dumping ground for Côte d’Ivoire,” Nagbe declared, warning that security officers are increasingly encountering resistance when attempting to investigate or apprehend suspicious individuals entering the country.
Concerns were also raised about the treatment of Liberian officials operating across the border. Jerry Banto, a Commerce Inspector assigned at the B’hai Border, accused some Ivorian security officers of showing disrespect toward Liberian authorities.
According to Banto, Liberian officials routinely extend professional courtesy to their Ivorian counterparts, but often receive hostile treatment when conducting official duties in Côte d’Ivoire.
Meanwhile, Joint Security Chairman of the B’hai Border, Carton Payleh, warned that unauthorized border crossings by some foreign nationals, particularly Burkinabés, pose a serious security threat.
Payleh stressed that individuals found entering Liberia through illegal routes would face arrest, along with the confiscation of any goods in their possession.
Additional complaints centered on allegations that some Ivorian security officers collect unofficial fees from travelers seeking to cross the border.
Speaking on behalf of the youth of B’hai District, Victor Dennis claimed that travelers are frequently charged 2,000 CFA francs to cross into neighboring Ivorian communities and face movement restrictions after evening hours.
Representatives from Côte d’Ivoire acknowledged that challenges exist on both sides of the border. Youth representative Karmayee of Toulepleu noted that Ivorian motorcyclists also experience difficulties when entering Liberia and called for increased intervention by the Mano River Union.
Responding to the concerns, MRU Regional Coordinator Bohi Nazére assured participants that all issues raised during the meeting would be documented and further discussed at the next joint session scheduled to take place in Liberia in July 2026.
The meeting concluded with calls for stronger cooperation, improved border management, and enhanced security measures aimed at preserving peace and stability within cross border communities.
