The burgeoning presence of undocumented Burkinabe migrants in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia, has ignited a multifaceted crisis, particularly in the realm of land rights and resource management. Over the past eight years, a steady influx of Burkinabe, primarily drawn by the lucrative cocoa industry, has led to their numbers surpassing those of local residents in numerous towns and villages. This demographic shift has sparked escalating tensions, primarily fueled by competition over land and resources, particularly forested areas coveted for cocoa cultivation. The lack of legal status for these migrants prevents the establishment of enforceable lease agreements with local landowners, hindering the implementation of transparent benefit-sharing arrangements and further exacerbating conflicts. This situation has created a complex web of interconnected issues, encompassing land disputes, environmental degradation, and potential security risks.
The Justice Advocates Law Group (JALG), established in February 2025 as the first modern law firm in Southeast Liberia, has stepped forward to address this escalating crisis. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, JALG has called upon relevant government agencies to implement a proactive strategy for managing the migrant population and protecting the region’s valuable forest resources. Specifically, JALG urges the Liberia Immigration Service, Ministry of Labor, and Liberia Revenue Authority to deploy mobile teams to communities throughout the county, facilitating the profiling and issuance of residence and work permits to Burkinabe migrants. This on-the-ground approach is considered crucial for effectively reaching the dispersed migrant population and bringing them within the legal framework, thereby enabling the establishment of regulated land use and benefit-sharing agreements. Concurrent with this effort, JALG emphasizes the critical need for expedited consultations with local communities to safeguard proposed and reserved forests from further encroachment and deforestation.
JALG’s commitment to resolving this crisis extends beyond advocacy and government engagement. The organization actively operates a legal aid clinic in Grand Gedeh County, providing essential legal services to community members. These services include raising awareness about the Land Rights Law, facilitating conflict resolution through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, and representing community members in court proceedings. By empowering local communities with legal knowledge and access to justice, JALG aims to equip them with the tools to navigate land disputes and protect their rights effectively. The organization recognizes that sustainable solutions require both top-down government action and bottom-up community empowerment.
To amplify its impact and broaden its reach, JALG has forged a strategic partnership with the Grand Gedeh Freedom of Information Network (GEFOINET). This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to strengthen the rule of law and promote respect for human rights within the county. The joint efforts of JALG and GEFOINET will focus on expanding legal awareness regarding the Land Rights Law, human rights, access to justice, and the overarching principles of the rule of law. By empowering communities with this crucial information, the partnership seeks to enable informed decision-making, particularly concerning property issues related to forest land, a central point of contention in the ongoing crisis.
The partnership between JALG and GEFOINET encompasses a wide range of activities designed to address the multifaceted challenges facing Grand Gedeh County. Beyond legal awareness campaigns, the two organizations will collaborate on resolving conflicts through ADR mechanisms, focusing on a spectrum of issues including land disputes, women’s land rights, gender-based violence, the rights of the accused, fundamental human rights, and monitoring the administration of justice within the county. This comprehensive approach recognizes the interconnectedness of these issues and the need for holistic solutions to promote peace, stability, and equitable access to justice. The combined resources, expertise, and networks of JALG and GEFOINET are expected to create a synergistic effect, amplifying their impact on the ground and fostering a more just and equitable environment for all residents of Grand Gedeh County.
Beyond the immediate challenges posed by the influx of Burkinabe migrants and the resulting land disputes, JALG and GEFOINET have also identified a critical security concern requiring urgent attention: the dilapidated state of the Palace of Correction, the county’s main detention facility. With a collapsed portion of the prison wall still unrepaired, the risk of prison escapes looms large, potentially releasing convicted criminals and pre-trial detainees into communities already grappling with explosive land conflicts. This situation poses a significant threat to public safety and could further destabilize the region. JALG and GEFOINET have jointly appealed to the Ministry of Justice to prioritize the reconstruction of the prison wall and address the dire conditions within the facility, including the lack of electricity and inadequate access to clean water. These improvements are deemed essential not only for ensuring the secure detention of inmates but also for upholding basic human rights and preventing further escalation of tensions within the already volatile environment.
