A significant step toward regional cooperation and sustainable land governance, the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and Sierra Leone’s National Land Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration, preventing land disputes, and promoting peace and security across the Mano River Union region.
The agreement was formalized during a three-day working visit by a high-level Sierra Leonean delegation to Liberia. The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for responsible land administration, sustainable land management, and effective border governance—critical components in a region where land rights and usage are often contested.
Regional Commitment to Peace and Development Dr. Mahmoud Solomon, Commissioner for Land Administration, signed the MoU on behalf of LLA Chairman Samuel F. Kpakio. He commended Sierra Leone’s delegation for their commitment to regional peace and praised the initiative as a milestone in bilateral cooperation.
“This agreement establishes a foundation for collaborative land governance, capacity building, and conflict prevention,” Dr. Solomon said. “It reflects our shared vision to secure land rights and promote sustainable development for border communities.”
The Sierra Leonean delegation was led by Commissioner-General Abubakarr Sappay-Foray Musa, who emphasized the MoU’s role in resolving existing land disputes and preventing future conflicts.
“This agreement underscores our mutual commitment to clear demarcations, land rights protection, and economic stability,” Musa stated. “It opens the door for deeper cooperation in agriculture, trade, and environmental conservation.”
Key Provisions of the MoU The agreement includes several strategic initiatives designed to enhance institutional capacity and foster innovation in land governance: Joint staff training and exchange programs, Support for institutional reform and development, Peer learning and knowledge sharing, Collaborative research and policy development, Advocacy and public outreach, Integration of technology in land registration and dispute resolution, Strengthening customary land governance mechanisms.
The MoU also promotes the use of digital tools and geospatial technologies to improve land administration systems and ensure transparency in land transactions.
A Model for Regional Integration Chairman Samuel F. Kpakio, in a statement following the signing, highlighted the LLA’s progress since its establishment in 2017/18 under the Land Commission Law of 2016. Separated from the Ministry of Mines, Lands and Energy, the Authority now serves as an independent body overseeing Liberia’s land governance sector.
“Despite early challenges, we’ve made significant strides in land administration,” Kpakio said. “This MoU is a testament to our commitment to regional integration and sustainable land management.”
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Sierra Leone’s Deputy Ambassador to Liberia, Ambassador Luseni Kallon, who hailed the agreement as a landmark in regional diplomacy.
Delegation Members from Sierra Leone The Sierra Leonean delegation included: Abubakarr Sappay Foray Musa, Commissioner-General, National Land Commission, Samuel Navo, Commissioner for Land Title Registration, Dr. Alfred Bockarie, Commissioner for Cadastre and Index Mapping, Abdul Kabba, Head of IT, Amadu Kamara, District Land Commissioner, Bombali District, Officials from both nations expressed optimism that the agreement would serve as a blueprint for cross-border land governance throughout the Mano River Union, fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and equitable resource management.
