The Liberia Refugee, Repatriation, and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) has registered nearly 7,000 Burkinabe migrants and asylum seekers in Maryland, River Gee, and Grand Gedeh Counties.
Addressing issues of rising Burkinabe’s migration in Liberia’s south-southeastern region, the updated census data in Liberia, aimed at accurately reflecting the evolving demographics, is a significant step in addressing the escalating migration crisis since 2016.
The LRRRC created a concept note to engage in dialogue with the Liberian government regarding Burkinabe illegal entry.
The government also approved a dialogue with stakeholders in Paynesville Town Hall on August 16, 2024, involving the LRRRC and LIS to profile Burkinabe to differentiate between migrants and asylum seekers and better understand their motivations for being in Liberia.
Mr. Thomas Jokan, the Regional Director for LRRRC in charge of these counties and overseeing the profiling and registration process, emphasized the critical need for this process in light of political upheaval, ethnic conflicts, and a coup d’état in Burkina Faso, which has increased by Burkinabe refugees seeking safety both internally and internationally.
According to Jokan, the flood of Burkinabe migrants has caused not just security issues but has also had an economic and social impact on local communities. Despite their contribution to the agricultural industry, their unregulated presence has strained available resources and infrastructure.
He asked for an extension to secure the thorough registration of all Burkinabe persons, highlighting the necessity of adhering to international protocols and domestic legislation that protect the rights of refugees and migrants in Liberia.
Bonkoungou Moussa, a Burkinabe resident in Gbarblor Town in Grand Gedeh, has requested the government to extend the registration time to guarantee that all persons are included.
He stressed that many Burkinabe are in the nation looking for better chances and are hesitant to stay without permits, fearing contact with law enforcement officials.
LRRRC is the Government’s principal humanitarian agency that offers international protection for refugees, stateless individuals, internally displaced, mixed nationals, and other people of concern (POC).
It was formed by an act of the House of Parliament of the Republic of Liberia in 1993. This proactive approach demonstrates Liberia’s commitment to meeting its duties under the 1951 Geneva Convention and the Refugee Act of 1993, which provide refuge and support to people escaping persecution and instability.
In Grand Gedeh County, Superintendent Alex Charsia Grant, mentioned that he was initially not informed about the profiling process of Burkinabe entering the country something he said led the local authorities to have halted the process until they could involve the joint security due to the necessary procedures involved. After discussions with the joint security, it was decided to resume the process, he said.
“I am aware of a significant number of recorded Burkinabe, but I cannot provide a total figure. Even though, the collected data will help improve security measures to manage the influx of Burkinabe effectively. Therefore, I am awaiting the team for a report with a disaggregated figure from each county to understand”.
In Maryland county, Superintendent Henry Cole mentioned that his office was not too involved in the registration process and have not received a report afterward to assess its success or the number of people registered.
The specific breakdown by county is not yet clear but what is clear is that 7,000 Burkinabe have been profiled and registered in River Gee, Maryland, and Grand Gedeh Counties combined.
