Duogee Town, Grand Gedeh– August 26, 2024 – A tragic event in the Duogee Town forest has resulted in the death of three Burkinabe cocoa farmers and left one survivor. The deceased have been identified as Sawadog Mohammed Desire, 34, Yameogo Oliver, 25, and Tiono Ouibila, 25, while Antoine Tapsoba, 34, survived the incident.
The incident occurred when a large dead tree collapsed onto the hut of the Burkinabe cocoa farmers who were in Liberia for cocoa planting. The sudden fall of the tree led to the immediate deaths of the three individuals and caused injuries to others present.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was related to the farmers’ method of clearing forest land, which involved cutting only the roots of trees and burning their bark. This process leaves the trees in a weakened state, making them prone to falling unexpectedly.
A 15-member coroner’s jury, after a thorough examination of the bodies, confirmed that the sole cause of death was the falling tree. The bodies have been released to the families for proper burial, with administrative support from Hon. Madison Neewray and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
The LNP has summoned the landowners of the affected area for questioning. The identified landowners, Othello Bah, Eddie Wako, and Milton Taye, were called to the Toe City Police Detachment for further investigation.
In a related development, the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) convened a critical national stakeholder dialogue on August 16, 2024, at the Paynesville Town Hall. The meeting, held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., addressed the future of approximately 40,000 Burkinabe refugees residing in Liberia.
The dialogue focused on various issues, including protection, human rights, political and foreign implications, and the economic impact of the refugee population spread across Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, and Nimba counties. The session aimed to explore strategies for managing the refugee situation, addressing asylum seekers’ needs, and facilitating their movement within ECOWAS countries under international agreements. Additionally, the event considered integrating refugees into local communities and providing necessary support systems.
The authorities are working to address the immediate concerns arising from the incident while continuing efforts to manage and support the Burkinabe refugee population in Liberia.
