Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely has informed the Liberian Senate that over 60,000 Burkinabé nationals are currently residing in the county. During a session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Senator Nimely expressed that this influx of Burkinabé individuals is raising serious humanitarian and logistical concerns, prompting calls for immediate attention and intervention from the government.
He mentioned that land disputes are escalating in the county, where conflicts are arising over land that has been allocated to Burkinabé nationals by local citizens. Senator Nimely announced that a letter will be sent to the Liberian Senate requesting a two-week leave to allow the County Caucus to discuss solutions to prevent the further allocation of land to Burkinabé nationals.
Additionally, he stated that the Caucus will engage with the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) to address how work permits can be processed for Burkinabé individuals within the county.
The presence of Burkinabé nationals in Grand Gedeh has become a significant source of tension, raising considerable concerns among local communities, security experts, and lawmakers. Local citizens have accused officials, particularly Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant, of illegally leasing over 500 acres of community forest land to Burkinabé nationals without local consent.
As of late 2025, estimates suggested that between 23,000 and 48,000 Burkinabé individuals were residing in Grand Gedeh.
