By: Melvin Flomo
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Sinoe County, Liberia – September 15, 2025 — More than 2,000 illegal occupants have been removed from Sapo National Park following a large-scale operation led by the Ministry of National Defense in collaboration with other national security agencies.
The eviction comes in response to widespread illegal activities, including unauthorized mining and poaching, which authorities say have threatened one of Liberia’s most critical environmental reserves.
According to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the operation not only cleared unlawful settlers from the park but also dismantled illegal mining camps and other activities deemed harmful to the park’s biodiversity and national security.
Established in 1983, Sapo National Park spans 1,804 square kilometers and is Liberia’s largest rainforest reserve. It is also recognized as one of West Africa’s most biodiverse ecosystems, home to endangered species such as the western chimpanzee and the pygmy hippopotamus.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the eviction underscores government’s commitment to protecting natural resources, preserving cultural and environmental heritage, and ensuring stability in protected areas.
This latest effort follows earlier initiatives, some supported by international partners including USAID, to remove illegal occupants from the park and promote sustainable management of Liberia’s forests.
Officials hailed the operation as a “significant milestone” in safeguarding the nation’s natural heritage and reaffirmed their resolve to maintain the park as a vital reserve for future generations.
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