FISH TOWN, River Gee County — Authorities in River Gee County have announced plans for a security-led verification exercise in Chedepo District and ordered individuals accused of engaging in unauthorized activities inside forest areas to withdraw immediately.
The decision followed a meeting convened Thursday by County Superintendent Mike T. Swengbe, bringing together local officials, security representatives, traditional leaders, community elders, and representatives of Burkinabe nationals residing in the district.
The engagement was prompted by reports of increasing unauthorized farming, hunting, and settlement in forest areas, alongside concerns about the presence of undocumented foreign nationals. County officials said the situation has raised questions about environmental protection, land ownership, community safety, and peaceful relations between residents and newcomers.
Addressing the gathering, Superintendent Swengbe emphasized that the county administration must protect communal land and forest resources while ensuring that immigration and other applicable laws are respected.
He warned that unchecked forest encroachment could damage the environment, threaten local livelihoods, and create security challenges if left unaddressed.
Community representatives reportedly voiced concerns about the destruction of forest reserves, pressure on available farmland, and the potential impact on future generations. The discussions resulted in an agreement that unauthorized activities within the affected forest areas should end immediately.
County Announces Compliance and Security Plan
Under the resolutions reached at the meeting, Burkinabe nationals found engaging in illegal farming, hunting, or settlement within the forest areas are required to leave those locations without delay.
Leaders of the Burkinabe community have also been tasked with coordinating compliance and facilitating a peaceful withdrawal of their members from the affected areas.
Meanwhile, the county administration, in collaboration with the County Joint Security, plans to conduct a verification and enforcement exercise in the coming days to determine compliance and address reported violations.
Superintendent Swengbe said the operation would be conducted under Liberia’s legal framework, with due regard for the rights and dignity of those involved.
He cautioned that failure to comply could result in legal action, including arrest and prosecution. Any deportation measures, he added, would be pursued in coordination with the central government, the Liberia Immigration Service, and the Ministry of Justice.
The superintendent also warned local residents against unauthorized transactions involving communal forest land, urging town and village leaders to ensure that any proposed sale or lease receives the necessary consultation and approval from the relevant county authorities.
Authorities called on residents and Burkinabe nationals to remain peaceful and cooperate with the implementation of the resolutions to prevent misunderstandings or confrontation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining calm as county officials prepare to enforce the directive and address concerns surrounding forest protection and land use in Chedepo District.
