Kparblee Town, Nimba County – A wave of violence has erupted in the forests surrounding Kparblee Town, resulting in the deaths of four Burkinabe migrants and several others injured.
By D. Franklin Doloquee
The Burkinabe citizens, who recently crossed from Ivory Coast into Liberia near the border areas of Nimba County, have been targets of violent attacks while working in agricultural activities, primarily cocoa farming. Their homes and belongings have also been burned, forcing many to flee the forests where they lived and worked.
Since 2021, the Burkinabe migrants often referred to as “Burkinabe” have been warmly welcomed by some Liberian landowners, especially Nimbaians, who lease forest lands to them for cocoa cultivation.
This collaboration has positioned Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties as prominent cocoa-producing regions on the global map. However, rising tensions and repeated attacks have disrupted this agricultural partnership.
During a two-day tour of affected forest lands in Kparblee Town by this writer, it was evident that the entire compounds had been set on fire. Chickens and other belongings of the Burkinabe farmers were destroyed in these assaults.
Witnesses report that the attacks have mostly occurred during night hours when the farmers were sleeping, often involving single-barrel guns. The motivation behind these brutal attacks remains unclear, with local authorities yet to disclose any findings.
According to reports, the violence has escalated to the point where some injured have been buried in various towns of Kparblee Administrative District. The fear instilled by these crimes has forced many farmers to abandon their lands and seek refuge in nearby towns rather than continue working.
One recent attack wounded a Burkinabe man severely, suffering multiple single-barrel gunshot wounds, including serious injuries to his private parts. He is currently receiving medical treatment at Faith Medical Center in Kparblee Town.
James T. Flomo, Physician Assistant and Officer-In-Charge at Faith Medical Center, confirmed the treatment of the injured victim but expressed concern over the ongoing nature of the violence.
Local residents of Kparblee Town, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the persistence of attacks on the Burkinabe community. Jefferson Bedell, a prominent farmer known as “Kaka” shared details of the horrific nighttime assault. He recounted that around 11 PM, while a number of Burkinabe were sleeping and others were watching television, unknown assailants entered the Chicken Coop Area and opened fire with single-barrel guns.
“I have provided land to these Burkinabe farmers to plant cocoa in my forest,” said Bedell. “But despite this, they have been repeatedly attacked by unknown individuals.”
Another local farmer, Jeff N. Gaylah, also acknowledged the continued violence but believes the attackers are outsiders and not residents of Kparblee Administrative District. Besides Kparblee Town, other towns affected include Zodru, Bah and Doewoblee.
Richard Y. Banto, the Town Chief of Zodru, expressed deep concern over the repeated attacks, which threaten to destabilize local agricultural activities and community peace.
Despite hardships, the Burkinabe Community in Kparblee has established several churches, promoting peaceful coexistence and mutual respect with their Liberian hosts.
Amed Sawadogo, Chairman of the Burkinabe Youth, emphasized their commitment to peace and development. “We are not here for conflict or violence,” he said.
“We crossed into Liberia with our families and sleep in the forests early, eager to start the day’s work on the farms.”
Allassane Duedraogo, Chairman of the Burkinabe community, reiterated their peaceful mission, stating they work hand-in-hand with Liberian landowners to cultivate cocoa.
Profits from the harvests are shared equitably, and some earnings are sent back to Burkina Faso to support development projects there.
The presence of Burkinabe Farmers has boosted the local economy, benefiting many Liberians especially Nimbaians—who host them.
Local businesses report increased sales, with rice vendors, among others, seeing a surge in demand.
Political observers warned that the continued violence risks escalating into a serious conflict between Liberia and Burkina Faso.
They called for immediate intervention to prevent a wider crisis over land rights and ethnic tensions.
Despite the ongoing attacks since 2021, Nimba County authorities, both past and present, have yet to launch a formal investigation or take significant measures to resolve the crisis.
The fear gripping the Burkinabe community is palpable.
Many live in constant dread for their safety, as the violence extends into night hours even when families sleep under makeshift shelters.
Since October, increasing numbers have been displaced, forced to abandon their farms, livelihoods and homes.
They plead for urgent assistance from the national government to protect their rights and lives.
Their mission remains clear: to work peacefully on farms, earn a living and contribute to development in Liberia and back home.
Farmers like Thomas Sawgaie, Jefferson Bedell, Jeff N. Gaylah and Sylvester Saul credit the Burkinabe with transforming their fortunes.
“Since they arrived, we harvest more cocoa and earn better incomes,” Sawgaie observed.
“I’m now able to send my children to university, something I could not afford before,” Saul echoed this optimism, saying life has improved dramatically due to the hard work of Burkinabe farmers.
“Together, Liberians and Burkinabe shared success and hope. Swift must be taken.’’
The ongoing violence threatens not only lives but also the fragile economic and social gains in this border region.
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