Monrovia, Liberia-February 6, 2023: Internal Affair Minister Varney Sirleaf has stressed the need for a concerted efforts to end the illegal entry and settlement of un-documented aliens believed to be Burkinabe in bordering communities along the Ivorian-Liberian borders.

There are credible reports of illicit mining, logging, farming and other commercial activities including possession of land on the Liberian side of the border in Grand Gedeh, Maryland County and other communities.

“While Liberia upholds and promotes ECOWAS policy on free movement, such movements have limitations and are in accordance with law.

We need the cooperation of Cote d’lvoire as we find solution to the Burkinabe influx particularly in the forest of Grand Gedeh, and parts of Nimba, Rivergee and Maryland Counties.”

Minister Sirleaf made the assertion during the opening of the one day Contact Meeting held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Monrovia. The Meeting is between Liberian institutions involved with border management and the their Ivorian counterparts.

According to a Ministry of Internal Affairs release, the contact meeting is intended to develop a Strategic and Operational Plan related to land and maritime borders between the two countries; taking into consideration allegations of illegal mining, maritime piracy, deforestation, destruction of cross-border biodiversity and conflicts over cross-border waterways, among others.

Recounting the roles of former President William V.S Tubman of Liberia and His Excellency former President Felix Houphouet Boigny of Cote d’Ivoire during the establishment of the Mano River Union (MRU), he said it is imperative for both countries to assist each other in maintaining harmony and coexistence in bordering communities.

For his part, Mr. Christian Jallah, Resident Coordinator of Manor River Union in Liberia said the idea of securing borders is critical to all nations in the Mano River Union region.

He intimated that Peace and Security is a major pillar of MRU and as such, without peace and security, economic integration among countries in the region will be impossible.

Also speaking during the Meeting, Mr. Konate Diakalidia, Executive Secretary of the National Border Commission of Cote d’lvoire and head of Delegation said Cote d’ Ivore National Border commission has been working with Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Burkina since it was set up in 2021.

He said they are working with partners to build capacities and strengthening relationships to enhance safer land and maritime borders.

He noted that the National Border Commission of Cote d’Ivoire will work with their Liberian counterparts to enhance border security.

Also in attendance was Commissioner Robert Budy, Director General of the Liberia Immigration Service.