Monrovia, Liberia – Following high-level negotiations in Conakry to reduce escalating tensions in the Mano River region, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai said Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone have reaffirmed their commitment to peace and cooperation along their shared borders.
Speaking to reporters upon his return to Monrovia, President Boakai stated that the tripartite talks between the leaders of the three neighbouring nations highlighted the importance of preventing border disputes from turning into conflict and strengthened the long-standing historical and cultural ties that bind their people.
Concern regarding a recent altercation in the Sorlumba neighbourhood of Foya District, Lofa County, close to the Liberia–Guinea border was mounting at the time of the conference in the Guinean capital. After Guinean soldiers allegedly crossed into Liberian territory close to the border town of Sorlumba, local officials and civilians reported increased tensions.
One Liberian civilian was reportedly shot in the thigh during the altercation. Afterwards, the sufferer was sent to a hospital in the neighbouring town of Foya to receive treatment. Additionally, locals said that Guinean forces had flown their national flag in a disputed area of land, raising concerns among people already leery of protracted border disputes.
The stalemate, according to authorities, might be related to a previous dispute over road building along the Foya–Vahun corridor. According to reports, Guinean security guards confronted workers who were removing sand from the Makona River for the project, claiming the location was within Guinean territory.
The region is especially vulnerable to territorial conflicts since the Makona River is a portion of the border that divides Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. Boundary lines from the colonial era and overlapping land claims by people residing along the frontier have historically hampered border demarcation throughout areas of the Mano River basin.
According to officials, the Conakry conference gave the three nations a chance to enhance procedures for handling delicate border issues and reaffirm collaboration within the framework of the Mano River Union.
According to President Boakai, the talks made clear how crucial it is to keep up communication and cooperation in order to preserve regional stability. Boakai emphasized that “we must concentrate on development,” pointing out that the people of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia have strong historical, cultural, and economic linkages that make peace not only important but also crucial for progress.
Photo credit: Executive Mansion
