By By: Staff Writer | Source: The Liberian Investigator
Garley Town, Grand Gedeh County – Tension is once again mounting along the Liberia–Ivory Coast border following the killing of Roland Gweyea, the Youth President of Ziway Town, who was reportedly shot dead by suspected Ivorian security personnel while fishing on Saturday, November 8.
Gweyea, described by locals as a vibrant community leader and peace advocate, had gone fishing early that morning near the Cavalla River, which separates the two countries. He was accompanied by a young Burkinabé boy, whose identity remains undisclosed. Hours later, the boy returned alone, telling residents that armed Ivorian officers opened fire, fatally wounding Gweyea on the spot.
After three agonizing days of search, Gweyea’s lifeless body was discovered on Tuesday, November 11, floating in the Cavalla River. The grim find sparked widespread grief and anger in Ziway Town and nearby villages, with residents calling for swift government action and justice.
“This is a clear violation of Liberia’s sovereignty,” said Staff Madison Tolbert, a regional youth leader who condemned the killing as a “gross act of aggression.” He urged both the Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus and national authorities to confront the matter head-on.
“This should draw the attention of our local and national leaders — that a Liberian youth was fired upon and killed by Ivorian armed men,” Tolbert lamented. “We must not remain silent. Justice must prevail.”
Locals say Gweyea’s killing is not an isolated incident. Communities along the Cavalla River have long accused Ivorian border forces of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests — particularly targeting Liberian fishermen and farmers. Residents claim such incidents have become more frequent in recent years, with little or no intervention from authorities in Monrovia.
“This is a wake-up call for our government,” warned Aloysius Saydee, a Garley Town elder. “Our people face threats daily while farming or fishing. Now, it has cost a young man his life. We need action before it happens again.”
In response to mounting outrage, local leaders in Grand Gedeh are reportedly drafting a petition to the County Legislative Caucus, demanding justice for Gweyea and stronger diplomatic engagement with Ivorian authorities.
The Cavalla River corridor has long been a flashpoint of border tensions, often marked by disputes over fishing rights, unauthorized patrols, and occasional clashes involving security forces from both sides.
The killing of Gweyea — a respected youth leader known for organizing community development initiatives — has deepened mistrust among border residents who now fear for their safety.
“We are peaceful people,” said Washington Gborlor, a resident of Ziway Town. “But peace without justice is just silence. Roland deserves justice, and our leaders must act.”
As mourning continues across Grand Gedeh, many say Gweyea’s death should serve as a reminder that Liberia’s border communities remain vulnerable — and that protecting them must become a national priority.
