Monrovia, Liberia – The Mano River Union (MRU) High-Level Ministerial Meeting officially began on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia. H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a stirring speech urging unity and peaceful coexistence.
In order to begin the establishment of Joint Technical Commissions entrusted with settling long-standing boundary disputes and fostering cross-border cooperation, ministers and senior government officials from MRU member states Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia have gathered for a four-day summit between June 16 and June 19.
Foreign Minister Nyanti stressed in her speech the value of encouraging communication between border communities as well as between governments. “Tribes within the MRU must have borderless conversations. “The union will become stronger and more cohesive as a result of these people-centered discussions,” she said.
The importance of border peace as a basis for regional and national peace was emphasized by the Dean of the Cabinet. According to her, a peaceful MRU equates to a peaceful ECOWAS and a peaceful Africa. For the continent, this project offers a revolutionary route to a cooperative, interconnected, and sustainable future.
Establishing the marine borders and reaffirming land borders among the member nations are key items on the agenda. In accordance with international law and African Union norms, the planned Joint Technical Commissions would evaluate current treaties and agreements, carry out thorough geospatial evaluations, and assist in the development of new demarcation procedures.
Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, made a statement on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, calling the initiative a historic step toward promoting sustainable development throughout the Mano River basin, strengthening cross-border security, and advancing regional integration.
The commissions’ establishment shows the MRU’s shared dedication to using legal clarity, technological collaboration, and diplomacy to settle conflicts that have traditionally raised tensions in the area. Member nations reaffirmed their commitment to regional unity, respect for international principles, and peaceful settlement.
The Joint Technical Commissions’ efforts would be crucial in lowering border tensions, bolstering regional governance, and promoting socioeconomic cooperation among the four countries, the MRU Secretariat underlined.
With the goal of creating a thorough roadmap for boundary settlement and cross-border peacebuilding, the summit will continue through June 19 with technical sessions and interagency meetings.
