Monrovia – The NGO Coalition of Liberia has raised alarm over the increasing influx of Burkinabe and Ivorian nationals into Liberia, alleging that their involvement in cocoa farming and illegal mining is causing widespread deforestation, land conflicts, and illegal immigration concerns.
In a statement issued this week, the coalition called on the Liberian government to take immediate and transparent action to address the situation, emphasizing reports from affected communities that highlight violent clashes, including the alleged killing of at least one individual.
Deforestation and Land Disputes on the Rise
According to the coalition, Liberia’s primary forests—vital for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and local livelihoods—are rapidly being cleared for cocoa farming and mining operations. These activities, they warn, are threatening the environmental integrity of the country and worsening disputes over land ownership.
One of the most affected areas is the Grebo-Krahn National Park, where tensions have escalated between park management and traditional leaders. Reports indicate that some community members are facilitating the arrival of Burkinabe migrants to establish cocoa farms, further straining relationships in the region.
Additionally, the safety of Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Rangers is now a concern. The coalition cited a recent case in which a ranger was targeted for defying a traditional order that allegedly restricted the FDA’s authority in certain areas of the park. In another incident, a subordinate ranger went missing for two weeks but was later found following media coverage of the case.
Cross-Border Cocoa Farming and Immigration Concerns
An independent 2024 report by the Ivorian civil society organization IDEF, titled “Alert on the Supply of Cacao from Liberia,” found that since 2020, a Liberian village has accommodated and allocated forest plots to 48 Ivorian nationals. The report further documented the arrival of 183 foreign cocoa smallholders across three Liberian villages—Yargbeken, Touwloken, and Partaken—between December 2023 and January 2024 alone.
The NGO Coalition of Liberia argues that this uncontrolled migration, combined with a lack of proper immigration enforcement, poses security and governance risks. The movement of foreign nationals without clear documentation, they say, is leading to social instability and violent clashes.
Key Demands to the Government
In response to these developments, the NGO Coalition of Liberia is demanding answers from the Liberian government on the following:
Regulating Foreign Influx – What measures has the government taken to assess and regulate the arrival of foreign nationals engaging in cocoa farming and mining?
Forest and Land Protection – What steps are being implemented to safeguard Liberia’s primary forests and natural resources from destruction caused by illegal land acquisition and unsanctioned agricultural expansion?
Community Land Rights – How is the government ensuring that indigenous and local land rights are protected amid rising disputes?
Immigration and Law Enforcement – What is the status of law enforcement interventions to address illegal immigration and unauthorized activities by foreign nationals in the forestry and mining sectors?
Violent Clashes and Fatalities – What steps has the government taken to investigate reports of violence and the alleged death resulting from these conflicts?
Regional Collaboration – How is Liberia working with neighboring countries and regional bodies to prevent cross-border land exploitation and unauthorized settlements?
Call for Immediate Government Response
The coalition is urging relevant government agencies, including the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to provide an urgent update to the public on interventions addressing this crisis.
Furthermore, they are calling for stronger enforcement mechanisms, enhanced community engagement in land governance, and regional cooperation to prevent further environmental and social deterioration.
Commitment to Advocacy and Monitoring
The NGO Coalition of Liberia, established in 2003, is a network of local organizations committed to promoting transparency, accountability, rule of law, equitable benefit-sharing, and ecological sustainability in natural resource management. The group pledges to continue monitoring developments and advocating for the protection of Liberia’s natural resources and community land rights.
