-Solicitor General describes Burkinabe “forest invasion” in Grand Gedeh
The issue of foreign nationals encroaching on and exploiting Liberian forests, particularly by Burkinabe individuals in Grand Gedeh and some parts of Nimba County, has been raised as a significant concern by the Solicitor General, Cllr. Augustine Fayiah.
Speaking at the close of a prosecutors’ workshop in Ganta last week, Cllr. Fayiah noted that the exploitation of forests, coupled with local illegal activities like pit sawing, needed to be highlighted as a pressing issue affecting various community forest areas.
Instances of the Burkinabe unlawfully clearing forests and engaging in concerning agricultural practices have been reported for months now, if not years, leading to threats of forest degradation and potential conflicts with local communities.
The head of prosecutors in the country said it is unfortunate that his lieutenants in those areas appear to be sitting idly without any action while the exploitation of the forest is becoming alarming.
Reports of ineffective law enforcement responses, including incidents where local forest management teams faced legal action instead of the encroaching groups, have raised concerns about the protection of natural resources.
According to testimony from the locally based community forest management team in Grand Gedeh, they reported that when they attempted to prevent Burkinabe individuals from entering the forest, law enforcement officers took action against them instead.
The Burkinabe were described as entering the forest daily, clearing vegetation both day and night, and setting large trees on fire to dry quickly, purportedly for their agricultural activities.
Chief Officer Sampson Zammie from Bloquiah Community Forest in Grand Gedeh highlighted concerns about the depletion of forest resources due to these activities, including the planting of cocoa trees in the cleared areas.
“The Burkinabes can rest. Day and night they’re brushing at the same time, setting big trees on fire. They are burning and putting chemicals on those trees to get them dry quickly,” Zammie said. “Anywhere they brush, they put cocoa there, depleting our forest, leaving no trees for logging or for construction in the future,” he said.
Mr. Zammie recounted an incident where they intervened by seizing tools and belongings from the Burkinabe individuals in the forest and handing them over to the police.
However, instead of taking action against the encroachers, the local people were charged and brought to court following instructions from the superintendent. Although the County Attorney was informed, there has been minimal action taken on the case, leaving the forest vulnerable to further exploitation and degradation.
The prevalence of illegal activities, such as pit sawing, has been affecting community forest areas in Lofa County. The local forest management team is working to address this issue and halt the illicit sawing activities.
A lady, only identified as Doris, from the Community Forest Management team in Lofa expressed the importance of the County Attorney’s intervention to prevent the tampering of remaining planks left in the bush.
“We seized truck loads of planks from pit sawyers and we want the County Attorney to intervene so that the planks that are left in the bush will not be tempered with,” Doris said.
Saye Thompson of the Gbar Community Forest surrounding Arcelor Mittal Concession areas in Nimba spoke of the notable absence of mention regarding the Gio National Forest, heavily exploited by Burkinabes in the Kparblee District near the Ivorian Border in eastern Nimba.
Cllr. Faryiah highlighted the forest issues as a ‘national security concern.’ He urged county attorneys to collaborate with the community in resolving disputes that have adverse effects on the community. Faryiah emphasized the importance of working closely with communities to address challenges, particularly those impacting Grand Gedeh’s forest, now identified as a national security concern.
“Please work with the community in settling disputes, especially when it comes to issues affecting the community,” he said. “Whenever you are in a case and finding it difficult, let us know through the chartroom, because the issue of Grand Gedeh’s forest has become a National Security Concern.”
Many protected areas in Liberia have been subjected to exploitation due to the mining of gold and diamonds, primarily in the eastern and western regions. The emergence of Burkinabes engaging in cocoa mining has significantly contributed to deforestation in various community forests.
Government agencies such as the Liberia Immigration Service and the Liberia National Police, along with local chiefs, elders, and provincial leaders, have faced criticism for either failing to address the issues or potentially siding with foreign interests, raising concerns about corruption and conflict.
The presence of a large number of Burkinabes, particularly in Grand Gedeh near the Gbarzon Forest and in Rivergee near the Gleo or Glawou forests, has had a significant impact on the forests’ integrity. The adjacent Nimba County, home to the Gio Forest, is also facing challenges with forest depletion.
