Monrovia, Liberia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has voiced strong concerns over the growing influx of undocumented Burkinabè nationals into Liberia, particularly in the mining and agriculture sectors. His remarks follow a violent incident in Gbarpolu County, where officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy were attacked during an inspection of illegal mining operations.
Rising Migration and Security Concerns
Liberia has witnessed the arrival of an estimated 100,000–140,000 Burkinabè nationals in recent years, many settling in forested counties engaged in cocoa farming and gold mining. President Boakai described the situation as one of his administration’s most pressing challenges, warning that undocumented migration poses both economic and security risks.
“It is alarming that we have over 80,000 Burkinabè in this country. Some have already established themselves and are mostly involved in agriculture and mining,” Boakai said during the opening of the 20th Cabinet Meeting. He emphasized the need for urgent government action to regulate the influx and prevent further undocumented settlement.
Attack on Mines and Energy Officials
The President’s comments came after Burkinabè miners in Gbarpolu County allegedly attacked inspectors from the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The officials, supported by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and Liberia National Police (LNP), were conducting a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining. At the AB Conteh Mining Site, inspectors found 20 Liberians and 41 Burkinabè nationals working without proper permits. Workers reportedly erected roadblocks to obstruct arrests before security forces restored order.
Government Response
Mines and Energy Minister R. Mantenokay Tingban condemned the attacks and warned operators against violating mining regulations. He stressed that holding a license does not exempt companies from accountability, particularly regarding mineral recovery reports. “If you take minerals out illegally, that is an economic crime,” Tingban said.
Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana later confirmed that the government is working with the Liberia Immigration Service and international partners to establish a documentation system for Burkinabè nationals. She estimated their population at about 140,000, noting that many were invited by Liberians seeking cheap labor in mining operations.
Land Disputes and Environmental Risks
Beyond mining, Burkinabè nationals have also been linked to controversial land leases for cocoa farming. In Grand Gedeh County, a 30-year lease of 500 acres of ancestral forest land to a Burkinabè businessman was nullified for violating Liberia’s 2018 Land Rights Act. Similar concerns have emerged in Nimba County, where Burkinabè farmers are cultivating cocoa in primary forests near protected areas.
Broader National Security Context
The migration issue comes amid heightened tensions along Liberia’s northern border, where Guinean forces reportedly continue to occupy Liberian territory. Analysts warn that the combination of undocumented migration, illegal mining, and unresolved border disputes could escalate into a wider national security challenge.
