Paynesville – The Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group (CSO-OPWG) has alarmed over what it terms as an escalating threat to Liberia’s forests, biodiversity and national security.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The group observed growing wave of illegal migration, unauthorized cocoa farming, illegal mining and how forest encroachment are rapidly expanding across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Paynesville, outside Monrovia on Wednesday, Mr. Dayugar Johnson, Team Leader of the Civil Society-led Independent Forest Monitoring and Management (CS-IFM) and Chair of the NGO Coalition of Liberia, said Liberia’s forests are facing unprecedented pressure from illegal agricultural activities, particularly the rapid expansion of cocoa farms.
“Our forests are under threat because of illegal agricultural activities, illegal mining and other forms of forest degradation. What started in the southeastern region is now spreading to other parts of the country, making it a national concern,” Mr. alarmed.
According to Johnson, many undocumented migrants are being brought into Liberia through porous borders to establish cocoa farms under informal agreements with local landowners and traditional leaders.
He said these arrangements, commonly based on unclear “60-40” sharing agreements, have fueled disputes over land ownership and farm proceeds, leading to violent conflicts within communities.
“In many cases, local leaders themselves are facilitating the entry of these migrants. The agreements being signed are ambiguous, and they are becoming a major source of conflict.”
Johnson disclosed that violent confrontations involving machetes have already been reported in several communities, while forestry officials attempting to enforce environmental laws have faced intimidation and armed resistance.
He cited an incident in which a Forestry Development Authority (FDA) regional officer was allegedly chased at gunpoint by residents protecting migrant settlers.
“Our FDA rangers are no longer safe in some of these communities. Independent forest monitors are also being denied access to areas where illegal cocoa expansion is taking place,” he recounted.
He warned that continued destruction of Liberia’s forests could undermine the country’s international climate commitments and weaken its ability to respond to climate change.
“If the forests disappear, Liberia not only loses biodiversity but also its capacity to meet global climate obligations and protect communities from the impacts of climate change,” Johnson indicated.
The CSO-OPWG in a statement read by Mr. Sampson M. Williams, Head of Secretariat of the Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group (CSO-OPWG) pointed out that it has repeatedly raised concerns over the issue since 2025.
On March 27 that year, the NGO Coalition of Liberia called on the Government to address the growing influx of Burkinabé and Ivorian nationals allegedly involved in illegal mining and cocoa farming. A second public statement issued on April 3, 2025, again urged authorities to tackle illegal immigration, forest encroachment and escalating land disputes.
The organization intoned that reports from affected communities and independent monitors indicate increasing cases of unauthorized land clearing, illegal mining, agricultural expansion and occupation of protected forests.
The concerns gained renewed attention following recent remarks by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who disclosed that approximately 140,000 Burkinabé nationals are currently residing in Liberia.
According to the Executive Mansion, the migrants are present in counties including Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Gbarpolu, Sinoe, Bong, Grand Kru, River Cess and River Gee. The President called for coordinated government action to ensure lawful migration management.
