Sorlumba, Foya District, Lofa County – A nonviolent walk to address tensions at the Sorlumba border crossing point in Foya District, Lofa County, has begun between Liberia and Guinea. The supposedly months-long alternation between the two nations has taken on a new form. The settlement comes after a heated dispute between members of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) and the Guinean military over a purported attempt to approach the Liberian checkpoint amid reports of plans to build a customs facility at the border.
Local reports state that the Guinean military issued an order on Sunday for LIS officers to vacate their position at the Sorlumba border so that construction could resume. Reports state that after rejecting the suggestion, the Liberian commanders prevented the soldiers from passing the checkpoint. The Foya District Commissioner, Saa Njamilah Bornguoi, stated that a security guard had informed her that Guinean soldiers positioned across the river had made an attempt to reach the Liberian checkpoint.
According to Commissioner Bornguoi, the Guinean soldiers returned to their post when the Liberian commanders opposed the planned relocation. He warned that he had not yet had a direct conversation with the border management officer and that the statement was based on preliminary information. “I was informed of this, but I haven’t checked with the director in charge of border management. I don’t think there is any tension there as reported by local media,” he said.
Journalists in Lofa County reported on Monday that representatives from both sides held their first meeting to maintain peace after Sunday’s altercation. Guinean military personnel and Liberian immigration agents had talks at the Sorlumba border. The goal of the meeting was to diffuse the tension and prevent further confrontation. LIS officers stayed at the Liberian roadblock after the negotiations, while the Guinean forces went back to their positions. Both parties agreed to refrain from taking any steps that would escalate tensions at the Liberia-Guinea border, according to local authorities, who reported that the situation remained peaceful on Monday.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said Tuesday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia that tensions between Guinean military personnel and Liberia’s Joint Security personnel have settled down. Although authorities and locals along the border had voiced concern, Minister Piah claimed that things had greatly improved. He explained that both Liberia and Guinea have taken steps to prevent further escalation, even though diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are still ongoing.
