Liberia’s Internal Affairs Minister Franklin Sakila Nyumalin raises alarms over escalating tensions between Guinea and Sierra Leone at the Yengar border, describing the situation as a serious threat to peace in the region.
His remarks were made during the opening ceremony of the AU-ECOWAS Border Conference, which aims to address long-standing border disputes inherited from colonial history.
Minister Nyumalin disclosed that both Guinea and Sierra Leone have deployed hundreds of troops to the contentious area, heightening concerns over regional stability. He called for immediate intervention from member states of the Mano River Union (MRU), including Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia itself.
“This situation is unwarranted and threatens the peace and stability of the entire sub-region,” he said.
The Minister urged stronger support from international partners, particularly Germany and its development agency GIZ, to bolster funding and technical assistance for border governance programs. Emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions, Nyumalin outlined that achieving lasting peace in the MRU region and across Africa is paramount.
Among his proposals was the establishment of an annual MRU Local Government Forum, intended to foster cross-border trade, communication, and cooperation among local governments. He underscored the importance of regular regional dialogues to oversee the implementation of agreements reached during this and future border conferences, stating, “These boundary issues are central to sustainable peace and prosperity for our people.”
Expressing optimism about the outcomes of the Monrovia conference, Nyumalin characterized it as “historic and unprecedented,” positioning Liberia as a beacon of unity and cooperation in Africa.
Reflecting on the legacy of the 1884-85 Berlin Conference, he noted that many of Africa’s contemporary border conflicts are rooted in arbitrary colonial-era boundaries that overlooked ethnic, cultural, and linguistic realities. These unresolved issues, he warned, continue to fuel instability across the continent.
Addressing Liberia’s approach to its own border negotiations with Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire, Nyumalin affirmed the country’s commitment to dialogue, legal frameworks, and mutual understanding as key strategies for conflict resolution.
On the matter of maritime boundaries, he announced that Liberia has submitted claims to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and is currently reviewing a new maritime law.
