-A Case Of Burkinabe Nationals
Concerns continue to grow across the Country, particularly in Grand Gedeh and other Southeastern Counties, about the increasing number of Burkinabe nationals entering the Country from multiple crossing points.
A couple of weeks ago, Grand Gedeh Senator and ex-warlord, Thomas Yaya Nimely, alarmed over what he said was an exodus of Burkinabe nationals into Liberia, calling on the relevant authorities to intervene.
Senator Yaya Nimely said citizens of the County were living in fear due to the huge presence of the Burkinabes, but did not exactly say what the Burkinabes were doing to generate fear in the County.
On 27th May 2026, the Executive Director of the Liberia Refugee, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, L-Triple-RC, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, in a joint mission report, informed President Joseph Boakai that approximately 140 thousand Burkinabe nationals are currently living in Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties.
Cllr. Bangalu quoted by the report warned that the rapid influx is straining local resources and posing serious security and humanitarian challenges, adding that majority of the migrants are engaged in mining and agricultural activities.
“Without a coordinated response, this situation could overwhelm communities already facing limited infrastructure and services,” the L-Triple-RC Executive Director noted.
In response to the Commission’s report, President Boakai has directed that it be elevated to the Cabinet for broader national security and policy deliberations.
The report said the findings stem from a joint field assessment conducted by the LRRRC alongside the French Embassy, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Human Rights Office, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Liberia Immigration Service.
Cllr. Bangalu has said the implementation the report’s recommendations will require close collaboration between the Government of Liberia and international partners.
Meanwhile, Liberians, who spoke to this Paper on the reported influx of the Burkinabe nationals, have expressed mixed views, with some saying that the Burkinabes are, like other migrants, in search of better life and should be embraced and protected under Liberian and international laws, while others they may running from hunger and insecurity in their Country as a result of continued armed insurrections.
There are reports of persecution against civilians in Burkina Faso, forcing tens of thousands of them to cross borders in recent months, in a region already struggling with food insecurity and climate shocks.
In response to the rising displacement, according findings of a research, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is scaling up its presence in host countries to support governments and local communities in collaboration with other humanitarian actors.
UNHCR is encouraging efforts by host countries to keep borders open, register new asylum-seekers, and support hosting communities.
In Côte d'Ivoire, the agency is working with the authorities to relocate refugees on a voluntary basis from border villages to two new sites currently under construction in Bounkanj and Tchologo regions.
