By Solomon T. Gaye Sr.
Report emanating from the main border in Liberia with Guinea says, cordial working relationship between the two countries’ joint security is going from bad to worse over cross border trade.
Speaking to this paper in Ganta, Nimba County, a market woman, Martha Paye, accused the joint security assigned to Guinea’s side of the border in Ganta of security harassment.
Collection of 2000 Guinea Francs gate drop, among other things, is reportedly on the increase and is creating serious hardship for marketers in Ganta traveling to buy goods in Guinea.
According to madam Paye, at the beginning of July 2023, many of the marketers (women) who left Liberia to go for goods in Guinea were stopped and their goods were seized from them by Soldiers while on their way back to Liberia.
“The Soldiers seized our goods and demanded us to pay 2000 Francs each, on grounds that nobody is allowed to leave Liberia to go buy goods in Guinea,” Madam Paye disclosed.
Speaking on the same issue and on behalf of LMA, Orether Saye appealed to the governments of the two countries to stop alleged harassment and extortion of money from travelers and marketers on both sides of the borders by joint security.
“Sometimes we pay 20 or 50 Liberian dollars to drop Police gate. LD 50 to drop the Liberian gate before crossing to Guinea to pay Guinea Francs 1000 or 2000 gate drop to Security, “Madam Saye acknowledged.
Since the beginning of 2023, reports of gate drop on both sides of the borders, coupled with security harassment of travelers and marketers leaving Liberia, is reportedly on the increase on both sides and is raising serious concern among the residents of the two countries.
At the beginning of 2023, two Guineans were reportedly flogged by officers of the joint security at the Liberian side of the border for an alleged refusal to pay gate drop.
Since the takeover of the military government in Guinea, reports of cross border trade among members of the two countries are becoming prevalent, hampering movement and revenue generation.
During a normal routine at the main border in Ganta, July 23, 2023, travelers were seen paying LD 250 to LIS to stamp their border cross pass before leaving the Liberian side to cross to Guinea.
When this paper contacted the joint security office at the border in Ganta, LIS OPS referred us to the communications officer, Samuel Buomie.
When we contacted Samuel Buomie, he refused to speak, stating that he needed to consult LIS detail Commander, Maj William Busy.
