By Bill W. Cooper
Maryland County Senator, Bleh-bo Brown, has disclosed that the European Union (EU) has imposed a ban on cocoa imports from Southeastern Liberia as a result of the influx of Burkinabe in that part of Liberia.
He made the revelation yesterday, May 19, 2025, during the confirmation hearing for the Commissioner General Designate of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Elijah Rufus, raising concerns about the integrity of the cocoa supply chain and the potential for illegal activities.
The senator’s comments come amid growing concerns about the rising number of Burkinabe migrants entering Liberia, many of whom are believed to be fleeing due to economic hardship and political instability in their home country.
It can be recalled that citizens in Grand Gedeh County have been alarmed over the fear of their lives as Burkina Faso is encroaching on their land, something that led to the alleged death of about four Liberian citizens living in Grand Gedeh County.
During the hearing, the senator, however, expressed his deep concern over the implications of the EU’s ban on local farmers and the economy at large, saying, “While we were on our break, we received this scaring message from the EU about the Southeastern region.”
In the letter, the EU told us that it will block cocoa products originating from Southeastern Liberia from entering its member states if immediate action is not taken to address the growing influx of Burkinabe nationals involved in cocoa farming.
Burkinabes are not yet in Maryland County, but Maryland is part of the Southeast, and now they have this blanket order that Cocoa will be banned because Burkinabe are in Grand Gedeh and have gone into the forest, and this is really alarming,” he stressed.
According to Sen. Brown, the EU’s warning is based on concerns about the increasing number of undocumented Burkinabe nationals farming cocoa across the entire Southeastern region, revealing that the EU fears that cocoa produced under these conditions may not meet internationally accepted standards of quality and agricultural practices.
The senator further noted that the EU is also worried about unregulated farming by foreign nationals, something he said could undermine the integrity of the cocoa supply chain, potentially disrupting trade and market stability across European countries.
He maintained, “The cocoa industry is a lifeline for many families in Southeastern Liberia, and the EU’s decision to ban imports from our region due to the Burkinabe influx is not just a blow to our farmers; it threatens the livelihoods of thousands who depend on cocoa for their survival.”
Sen. Brown further indicated that the influx of Burkinabe migrants has now reached an alarming point regarding information about their potential illegal activities, including smuggling and human trafficking, which could compromise the quality and safety of cocoa exports.
The Maryland County senator further urged the government to take immediate action to address the situation, adding that if care is not taken as soon as possible, Liberia’s economy will be at serious risk.
“We need to enhance our border security and immigration policies to ensure that we can manage the influx of migrants effectively. We must restore confidence in our cocoa supply chain to lift this ban and protect our farmers.
“So, Mr. Commissioner General Designate, if you are confirmed by this body, I urge you to look in that direction. Because the influx of Burkinabe into our country is really becoming alarming, and there is a need to address it now,” he added.
Meanwhile, the cocoa industry is one of Liberia’s key agricultural sectors, contributing significantly to the national economy, as the EU ban, if not lifted, could have devastating effects on local farmers, many of whom are already struggling with the impacts of climate change and fluctuating market prices.
