By Rocheford T. Gardiner
Harper, Liberia – Amid mounting apprehension and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Ivoirian elections, the Liberia Joint Security at the Pedeboe border crossing point in Maryland County has emphatically denied rumors of an official border closure with Côte d’Ivoire.
For nearly a month, business people and petty traders in the county have been circulating claims of an imminent shutdown of the Pedeboe crossing point, the largest and most vital land border in southeastern Liberia. Earlier this week, these claims intensified into widespread rumors of an actual closure, fueled by alleged reports of secret killings and general unrest in Liberia’s eastern neighbor, Côte d’Ivoire.
activities at Pedeboe Border
Further compounding the sense of unease is a noticeable shortage of the popular “Ivoire” beer, brewed in Côte d’Ivoire, which has become a favorite in counties bordering that nation.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, October 23, the Pedeboe Border Joint Security Chair and Commander of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), George Padjibo, described the circulating information as “baseless and misleading.” He affirmed that no official communication from Monrovia has been received to effectuate a border closure.
Commander Padjibo, however, confirmed that Liberia has significantly beefed up its security presence at the Pedeboe border in response to the unfolding situation in Côte d’Ivoire ahead of its general elections on Saturday, October 25. He noted that this heightened deployment, consisting mostly of LIS Border Patrol personnel, is also true for all Liberian counties sharing a land border with Côte d’Ivoire, and it will remain in place until the conclusion of election activities in the neighboring country.
While acknowledging the regional tension, Mr. Padjibo reported that there has been no large-scale influx of Ivoirians crossing into Liberia for safety, out of fear of the violence and danger that have historically characterized elections in Côte d’Ivoire.
Yet, visual observation at the border revealed at least two vehicles bearing Ivoirian license plates parked safely on the Liberian side. Furthermore, an unusually high number of Ivoirian-plated vehicles have been seen plying the streets of both Harper and Pleebo over the past couple of weeks.
Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled to hold general elections on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The incumbent, President Alassane Ouattara, is seeking a fourth term in office.
President Ouattara was first elected in the disputed 2010 election and officially took office in 2011, subsequently winning re-election in 2015 and 2020. His third term, in particular, was marked by significant controversy, as opponents argued it violated the constitutional two-term limit. His supporters, however, maintained that a 2016 constitutional change reset his term count. The current push for a fourth term has generated resistance and outbreaks of violence in several major Ivoirian cities.