By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia has moved to reassure the public and the international community that it is in “full charge” of the evolving boundary dispute with neighboring Guinea, emphasizing a commitment to diplomacy and regional stability over military escalation.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at a special press briefing at the Ministry of Information (MOI), the Minister of Justice, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, addressed heightened tensions centered in Sorlumba, Foya District, Lofa County. His statement, delivered as head of the Joint Security, followed a period of growing concern among citizens regarding the northern frontier.
The Minister underscored that the administration’s strategy is rooted in “maturity and wisdom,” highlighting a series of high-level diplomatic missions. These efforts culminated in a significant trilateral meeting in Conakry, Guinea, where President Joseph Boakai was joined by Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio for talks with Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya.
The joint arrival of Presidents Boakai and Bio on the same aircraft was noted as a symbolic show of Mano River Union (MRU) solidarity. The resulting communiqué signed by the three leaders reaffirmed the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity, a commitment to the “status quo of peaceful coexistence,” and the preservation of historical and cultural ties between the neighboring populations.
Notably, the government clarified that the signed communiqué focused on peaceful principles rather than specific technical maps, steering the resolution toward political and fraternal dialogue.
While emphasizing peace, Minister Tweh confirmed that Joint Security forces have been deployed and reinforced along the border. Liberia’s Attorney General stated that the goal of this deployment is “not escalation,” but rather the restoration of public confidence and the protection of Liberian sovereignty.
The Justice Minister also issued a stern warning against the spread of misinformation, specifically targeting inflammatory social media commentary and AI-generated fake images that have been circulating to incite fear.
“Statements and analysis intended to inflame and undermine our efforts will not be tolerated,” Minister Tweh stated, adding that while the government upholds the rule of law and freedom of the press, it will not hesitate to take “appropriate lawful actions” against individuals conducting themselves in a manner inimical to the country and its people.
Minister Tweh concluded his statement with a plea to citizens—particularly those in border communities—to exercise restraint and maintain the spirit of good neighborliness. He indicated that the government expects the Mano River Union to convene a formal session soon to further solidify the peaceful resolution of these boundary concerns.
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