The NGO Coalition of Liberia has raised serious concerns over the increasing influx of Burkinabe and Ivorian nationals into Liberia, citing their engagement in cocoa farming and illegal mining as a significant threat to the nation’s forestry and natural resources. The unregulated presence of these foreign nationals has led to widespread deforestation, heightened land conflicts, and concerns over illegal immigration. Reports from affected communities indicate violent clashes between foreign nationals and local populations, with at least one confirmed fatality. The Coalition is calling on the Government of Liberia to take urgent action and provide transparency regarding measures being taken to address the crisis.
Local reports suggest that Liberia’s primary forests, which serve as crucial hubs for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and indigenous livelihoods, are being cleared at an alarming rate to accommodate cocoa farms and mining operations. This trend is eroding the environmental stability of the nation while exacerbating disputes over land ownership and use rights.
The Grebo-Krahn National Park has emerged as one of the most threatened areas due to conflicting interests between the local community and park management. Many community members have reportedly facilitated the influx of Burkinabe nationals, allowing them to establish cocoa farms. In one troubling incident, a Forest Development Authority (FDA) ranger disappeared for two weeks after attempting to enforce regulations against unauthorized activities. The ranger was later found following media coverage of the incident, highlighting the growing risks faced by enforcement officers.
A 2024 report by the Ivorian civil society organization IDEF, titled “Alert on the Supply of Cocoa from Liberia,” revealed that since 2020, a Liberian village had granted forest plots to 48 individuals from Ivory Coast. The report detailed that between December 2023 and January 2024 alone, 60 foreign cocoa smallholders had arrived in three Liberian villages, further intensifying concerns over deforestation and land occupation.
The unchecked movement of foreign nationals into Liberia without proper immigration controls raises security and governance issues. The absence of accountability mechanisms for these arrivals threatens to destabilize communities and worsen social tensions. Reports of violent confrontations, resulting in fatalities, underscore the need for immediate government intervention.
Given these pressing developments, the NGO Coalition of Liberia is demanding answers from the government on several critical issues, including the regulation of foreign migration, protection of primary forests, enforcement of community land rights, and measures to address illegal activities in the forestry and mining sectors. The Coalition is also calling for greater regional cooperation to prevent cross-border exploitation and unauthorized settlements.
The organization urges the government, along with key agencies such as the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to provide an urgent update to the public regarding their interventions. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms, enhancing community engagement in land governance, and collaborating with regional partners are essential steps toward mitigating the environmental and social threats posed by this ongoing crisis.
