By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) has announced the closure of all land borders across Liberia, effectively today, Monday, October 9, 2023.
Making the disclosure over the weekend during the Joint Security Press briefing, LIS Communication Director Mr. Abraham Dorley attributed the institution’s decision to their interest to ensure boarder safety and security during these elections. In additional to this, they are also working with their neighboring counterparts to strength and build borders confident.
According to Mr. Dorley, the decision comes following a mandate and instruction from the Minister of Justice, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean to the Commissioner General of the LIS Col. Robert W. Budy, Sr.
He argued that the closure of borders during these elections will have no effect on cross borders trade because the borders will be closed at 6:00 pm- at which time businesses will also be closed. With this, he said the LIS decision will not affect the trade and economic viability.
Mr. Dorley also added that they are not shutting down land borders because they are preheating the influx of people during these elections but it’s just a normal protocol for borders during elections.
“In the just recent Press briefing the joint Security had, the Attorney General of Liberia Cllr. Frank Musa Dean instructed the Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service, Col. Robert W. Budy, Sr. that beginning Monday, at 6:00 PM all land borders should be consider close” he disclosed.
However, Mr. Dorley noted that “And pursuant to that mandate, the LIS that regulate borders movement within balliways of Liberia we have instructed our borders, and county commanders that all land board authorized by this government be close.
According to him, on Wednesday at 8:00 am all land boarder will reopen to the public for transaction and movement.
Mr. Dorley pointed out that General Budy has also instructed the border patrol unite to make sure that borders that are not authorized are also closed.
“For Liberians that wanting to participate in these elections, you need to be in Liberia before Monday 6:00 pm because nobody will be allow to come in to partake when the borders have been considered close.
Mr. Dorley asserted that they have been having series of meetings and engagements with neighboring Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory’s Coast amongst others- to strengthen and build borders confident and security.
“We are working jointly with our counterparts to ensure boarders safety and border security during these elections. The closure of a boarders during elections is a normal protocol to regulate people. For trade, at 6:00 pm when the borders are closed it will not affect commercial trade and after that we will reopen,” he concluded.
