MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group (CSO-OPWG) has raised concern over what it calls increasing threats to Liberia’s forests posed by foreign nationals.

Addressing a news conference in Paynesville City on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Program Assistant at the Sustainable Development Institute, Samson Williams, said” The influx of undocumented foreign migrants, including Burkinabe, has serious national security implications”.

Williams named the expansion of illegal mining and agricultural activities, growing land conflicts, and the occupation of protected and customary lands as key threats linked to the influx.

According to the CSO-OPWG, these illegal activities are fueling deforestation and environmental degradation, which affect agricultural and development activities.

Meanwhile, the Civil Society Oil Palm Working Group is calling for inter-agency collaboration and support from development partners to safeguard Liberia’s forests, communities, and national security.