Published: March 15, 2026
CONAKRY – President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is expected to travel to Conakry on Monday March 16, 2026 for a high-level summit with Mamadi Doumbouya and Julius Maada Bio as regional leaders move to address escalating tensions along the Liberia–Guinea border in Lofa County.
The tripartite meeting comes amid growing concern over recent confrontations in the Sorlumba area of Foya District, where residents and local authorities reported tensions between Guinean soldiers and Liberian civilians near the border.
Local sources have since reported that the dispute intensified after Guinean troops allegedly crossed into territory claimed by Liberia near Sorlumba, a border community in Lofa County. During the confrontation, gunfire was reportedly heard and one Liberian civilian was said to have sustained a gunshot injury to the thigh before being taken to a nearby medical facility in Foya for treatment.
Residents also reported that Guinean soldiers raised their national flag in a disputed section of land, further heightening tensions in the community and prompting concerns among local leaders.
The standoff is also linked to an earlier disagreement involving road construction activities along the Foya–Vahun corridor, where workers engaged in extracting sand from the Makona River for the project were reportedly confronted by Guinean security personnel who claimed the area fell within Guinea’s territorial boundary.
The Makona River forms part of the boundary separating Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, making the area particularly sensitive to territorial disputes. Border demarcation in several parts of the Mano River region remains a longstanding challenge due to colonial-era boundaries and overlapping claims by communities on both sides of the border.
Authorities in Lofa County say the situation created anxiety among residents in several communities near the disputed area. Some residents reportedly fled temporarily while local activities slowed amid fears of further confrontations.
Liberian security authorities later deployed officers to the area in an effort to stabilize the situation and prevent civilians from engaging in confrontations across the border while diplomatic efforts continue.
The summit in Conakry is expected to provide a platform for the three West African leaders to address the dispute and reinforce mechanisms for peaceful border management within the Mano River Union region.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara is expected to attend the meeting as a witness country, reflecting broader regional interest in maintaining stability along the interconnected borders of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The border area serves as an important corridor for trade and movement between Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, making stability in the region critical to local livelihoods.
Diplomatic observers say the Conakry meeting could play a significant role in easing tensions and reaffirming the commitment of Mano River Union countries to resolving disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.
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