PHOTO: (L-R) Nimba Security Coordinator, Koman Bartuah and women’s group head, Jackcqeline C. Samuels
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
SANNIQUELLIE, Liberia- The man coordinating security in the northeastern Nimba County has disclosed plans by Liberia and the Ivory Coast to jointly improve security on their respective border lines.
Speaking at a news conference in Sanniquellie City, said following the end of United Nations peace keeping mission in Liberia in 2015 and and in the lvory coast in 2017, the responsibilities of security were directly transferred to the respective governments.
After the withdrawal of UNMIL peace keeping from the two countries, it was welcoming to encourage continue engagement between the two sisterly countries to find sustainable solutions for security and socio-economic development, said Bartuah.
He said this is intended to consolidate peace and social cohesion between the border communities that share historical and cultural ties.
Against this backdrop, the international organization for migration IOM and the United Nations development program UNDP are jointly implementing a cross- border engagement project to reinforce social cohesion and border security between the Republics of Liberia and lvory Coast.
As part of the implementation of this project, a week of joint cross-border security patrols took place from September 9-15, 2021, in the Nimba County border town of Loguatuo.
The patrols brought together the defense and security forces of Liberia and lvory coast, including other top government officials from the two sisterly countries.
The Liberian delegation on the patrol was headed by Samuel F. Dakena, deputy national security advisor in the office of the President of Liberia.
Objectives of the Patrols:
*To identify security gaps and other border-related issues to consider apporiate solutions.
*To strengthen trust and collaboration between all security Actors and the border communities of Liberia and lvory coast.
*To strengthen cooperation between the defense and security forces of both countries.
*Enable exchange between the defense and security forces of Liberia and lvory coast and the populations of the border communities.
Complaints of high taxes at the border
According to the the Nimba County security coordinator, one of issues heard from Ivorian security is that individuals are traveling across the border without business purpose, and they will therefore be taxed.
But some Liberian traders complained about high taxes being imposed on them, with women complaining of being intimidated by Ivorian security.
Ivorian traders coming to Liberia are also complaining about similar situation being experienced on this side of the border as well.
Based the complaints, high level delegations from both countries are shortly expected to meet and discuss, in order to find solutions to those issues identified during the border patrol.
Officials say a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or a draft resolution will be signed between officials of the government from the two countries on how to checkmate the conduct of border security forces.
The security Coordinator in Nimba County has urged the public to cooperate with the security apparatus for a quality, credible and accountable security service in the border areas and Nimba County as a whole.
For her part, Jackcqeline C. Samuels, the Executive coordinator of the civil society group, Women Passion, which is implementing partner in peace consolidation, said during the patrol, several challenges were identified.
They include poor telecom network connectivity which hinders communication, bad roads conditions, in addition to the need to improve security in the area not being mobile to respond to issues quickly.
As a result of the challenges, a series of recommendations were to their respective countries.
Meanwhile, Madam Samuels has called on citizens living along the border to relate to their security, trust them and be friendly with them, stressing the need for awareness-raising amongst citizens to enhance better working relationship.