The growing number of Burkinabe and Ivorian people entering Liberia, allegedly for the purpose of illegal mining and cocoa farming, has drawn urgent concern from the NGO Coalition of Liberia.
Widespread deforestation, intensifying land disputes, and grave worries about illegal immigration are all consequences of this migrant boom. At least one person has reportedly been killed in violent fights between foreign nationals and local people, according to reports from impacted communities.
In a release, the Coalition urged the Liberian government to address this problem immediately and openly, and to keep the public updated on the progress of any actions being taken.
Primary forests, which are vital for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and the livelihoods of local inhabitants, are being swiftly destroyed to make way for cocoa farms and mining operations, according to reports from impacted communities. Increased conflicts and land disputes result from this unchecked growth, which also jeopardizes the rights of indigenous and local groups and threatens Liberia’s environmental integrity.
Concerns about governance and security are also raised by inadequate immigration regulations.
Without proper documentation or accountability systems, the unrestricted movement of foreign nationals poses hazards that could make Liberia’s social and economic instability worse.
Recent accounts of violent altercations that resulted in fatalities emphasize even more how urgently the government must step in to stop additional deaths and societal instability.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and other pertinent government ministries and agencies are urged by the NGO Coalition of Liberia to give the Liberian public an immediate update on the state of interventions pertaining to this issue.
“We also call on the government to work with regional partners to develop clear policies that stop future environmental and socioeconomic degradation, improve community involvement in land governance, and bolster enforcement measures”, the coalition said in its release.
The NGO Coalition of Liberia is keeping a careful eye on events and expresses sympathy with the impacted populations. We are still dedicated to promoting the preservation of community land rights, the sustainable use of Liberia’s natural resources, and the application of both domestic and international immigration and environmental regulations.
