By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmil.com
MONROVIA – The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), in partnership with the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), has officially launched a biometric registration process to issue resident permits to 269 integrated former Ivorian refugees.
This effort is a direct implementation of Executive Order 144, signed by President Joseph Boakai on February 24, 2025.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s commitment to refugee protection and integration. It is designed to enhance the rights and welfare of former refugees, ensuring they are fully recognized and supported as contributing members of society.
According to an official release from the LRRRC, the biometric enrollment began with a welcoming ceremony attended by Joseph Cooper, Deputy Executive Director for Operations at LRRRC, and Elija Rufus, Commissioner General of the Liberia Immigration Service.
During the ceremony, the first group of former Ivorian refugees underwent biometric registration by LIS staff.
The registration exercise is currently being conducted across four counties—Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, and Maryland—targeting all eligible integrated former Ivorian refugees. Once issued, the resident permits will grant recipients access to essential public services including education, healthcare, and housing.
The LRRRC also announced plans to collaborate with the National Identification Registry (NIR) to enroll the former refugees in Liberia’s national ID database.
This additional step is expected to further streamline their integration into the national system and promote long-term stability.
“The issuance of these resident permits is not just a legal formality—it’s a powerful statement of Liberia’s inclusive approach to refugee integration,” said a spokesperson for the LRRRC. “We are ensuring that these individuals, many of whom have lived in Liberia for years, are afforded the dignity and support they deserve.”
This latest development underscores the Boakai administration’s broader agenda of human rights, inclusion, and regional solidarity, especially as Liberia continues to be a safe haven for displaced populations in West Africa.
