GRAND GEDEH COUNTY –– The southeastern region of Liberia, particularly Grand Gedeh County, is grappling with growing unrest due to the influx of illegal migrants from Burkina Faso, primarily entering through neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.
By Patience Baye Koromah, Grand Gedeh
Grand Gedeh County, one of Liberia’s largest counties bordering Côte d’Ivoire to the north, is known for its vast forests and the Cavalla River. The situation began in 2016 when a significant number of Burkinabe migrants arrived, seeking opportunities as farmers. This migration triggered land disputes in the Beh’ai District, leading then-Minister of Internal Affairs, Varney Sirleaf, to deploy the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to stabilize the situation. The intervention revealed extensive farming activities by the migrants within the forests.
Since then, tensions have persisted as conflicts between local residents and the newcomers continue to escalate. The Beh’ai District, one of the eight administrative districts in Grand Gedeh, has become a hotspot for these disputes, which have occasionally erupted into violent clashes.
Recently, a confrontation in Blown Town, located a three-hour walk from the Ivorian border, further highlighted the deteriorating situation. Around 3:30 AM, a hunter named Bieyoplu encountered an armed individual, allegedly a Burkinabe, while hunting. A struggle ensued, resulting in injuries to the hunter. Elder Mafa Tojallah, a local leader, received a distress call from Bieyoplu and informed the police, leading to the arrest of the Burkinabe suspect.
Elder Mafa urged the government and local authorities to address the rising violence, emphasizing that residents feel increasingly threatened by the presence of armed migrants.
In another alarming incident on July 11, 2024, a Burkinabe man was fatally shot in Porkor Town, a village about 40 minutes from Toe’s Town. The victim’s wife, Domiado Salimatu Ameh, recounted the tragic event, stating that two men knocked on their door, demanding her husband come outside. Despite her warnings, he stepped out with money and his phone, believing they were robbers. However, the attackers, after discovering a cutlass in his possession, shot him instead of taking his valuables.
Ameh Sumaru, another Burkinabe migrant, explained that they were invited by locals to farm in exchange for land. However, conflicts arose upon their arrival, leading to clashes within the Beh’ai District.
Grand Gedeh County Superintendent, Hon. Alex Charsia Grant, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and lawlessness in the community. He assured residents that local authorities would collaborate with security forces to investigate the incidents and restore safety.
Witnesses reported that the assailants in the shooting were masked, adding to the fear and uncertainty gripping the area. The Liberia National Police are currently investigating the incidents, while Grand Gedeh County Immigration Commander, Mr. Alex Kpakpolo, noted that many Burkinabe migrants are entering Liberia through illegal crossing points.
The Liberia Immigration Service has identified both legal and illegal entry points between Grand Gedeh and Côte d’Ivoire, with approximately 10,000 Burkinabes estimated to have entered the country. Commander Kpakpolo revealed that some locals are facilitating the entry of Burkinabe migrants by allowing them to farm on their land, leading to disputes over land use and resources. He estimated that 90-95% of the Burkinabe are crossing illegally.
“Only a few of the migrants have legal residency permits, raising concerns about their impact on local communities,” he said. Plans are underway to work with the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) to gather comprehensive data on the Burkinabes starting in August 2024.
Grand Gedeh County has four major legal entry points, but there are over 12 illegal crossing points. The county’s population is expected to rise significantly beyond the 2022 census figure of 216,692 due to the influx of illegal migrants, underscoring the need for updated census data to reflect the changing demographics.
Residents are urging the government to take immediate action to curb the influx of illegal migrants by enforcing measures to prevent further violence in the area. Despite the conflicts, some locals acknowledge the positive economic impact the migrants have brought, particularly in agriculture. Businesswoman Winifred Gbayor, a resident of Toe Town, noted that since the arrival of the Burkinabes, there has been increased crop production, reducing the need to travel long distances for goods.
“Before, we used to go to Tapata and Blodiala to purchase okra, pepper, plantains, and other goods, but since these people came, we stopped going there,” she said.
This growth has transformed Toe Town’s border into a bustling trade center where Ivorian businesspeople gather weekly to trade on Saturdays. Despite the economic benefits, the ongoing conflicts have prompted calls for government intervention to regulate the presence of illegal migrants and prevent further violence in the region.
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