By Fiona Benson
Authorities at the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), and Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) have confirmed the presence of 48,000 registered Burkinabés.
Due to the unparalleled influx of the Burkinabés, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have invited LRRRC Executive Director and LIS Commissioner General to provide detailed briefings on the situation.
Henceforth, the increase in the number of Burkinabés crossing into the Southern has claimed the attention of lawmakers.
They have therefore, brought the situation before Plenary of the House, mandating it leadership to take charge of the matter.
Upon this backdrop, the House Leadership on Monday, October 20, 2025, resolved to officially communicate with the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on the need to find an immediate, and sustainable solution to the influx of Burkinabés into the Southeast region, mainly in Grand Gedeh County.
The decision was followed by a communication from Grand Gedeh County District #3 Representative, Jacob C. Debee, who raised the concerns over the growing occupation of forested areas in the county by newly arrived aliens.
In his communication, Debee said the situation poses a potential threat to the peace, security and stability of local residents.
In response to Rep. Debee’s concerns, the House Leadership invited LRRRC Executive Director, and LIS Commissioner General to provide detailed briefings on the situation.
Meanwhile, the two officials have confirmed the presence of approximately 48,000 Burkinabés currently residing in Grand Gedeh County.
They informed the House Leadership that a formal enrollment process is expected to commence once a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is sign between the LRRRC, the LIS, the National Identification Registry (NIR), and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
Following extensive deliberations with the lawmakers, and the officials, a motion was proffered by Montserrado County District #4 Representative, Michael Thomas.
The motion called for the urgency of political will, and coordinated action to address the matter.
Rep. Thomas said the Legislature has discussed the issue on multiple occasions, but the need for the Executive to take proactive and preventive measures to ensure that the situation does not escalate into a national security concern was not forthcoming.
The House Leadership affirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Executive Branch to address the issue through diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian channels, while ensuring the protection of Liberia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.