Published: March 20, 2026
MONROVIA — Human rights lawyer Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe is calling for restraint, accountability, and respect for sovereignty as Liberia and Guinea navigate rising tensions linked to developments along the Makona River.
In a statement issued Thursday, March 19, Gongloe urged both countries to prioritize diplomacy and draw on their shared history to prevent the situation from escalating.
“Sovereignty must never be compromised, and the Makona River should unite rather than divide our two countries,” he said, framing the dispute as a test of leadership and regional responsibility.
Appeal to Shared History
Gongloe pointed to longstanding ties between Liberia and Guinea, rooted in what he described as “sacrifice, restraint, and African solidarity.”
“The relationship between our two countries is not ordinary,” he said. “It is a history that must guide us now.”
He recalled his role in 1992 as a presidential envoy under Interim President Amos C. Sawyer, when he engaged Guinean authorities during Liberia’s civil conflict. According to Gongloe, Guinean officials at the time acknowledged Liberia’s support during Guinea’s post-independence isolation, including access to the Freeport of Monrovia for critical imports.
He said such historical bonds should serve as a foundation for resolving current tensions.
Sovereignty Concerns and Allegations
Gongloe referenced reports alleging that Guinean security personnel crossed into Liberian territory and removed a Liberian flag, noting that, if verified, such actions would raise serious sovereignty concerns requiring a firm but measured response.
At the same time, he stressed the need for balance and transparency, citing unconfirmed claims that mining activities may have taken place from the Liberian side of the river without Guinean consent.
“If that information is accurate, it would raise legal concerns under both international law and Liberia’s own mining regulations,” he said.
He explained that international norms governing shared watercourses require consultation between states, while Liberian law mandates proper authorization for mining activities.
Call for Investigation and Accountability
Gongloe warned that any actions—whether by private actors or public officials—that may have contributed to the current tensions must be investigated.
“No company, no interest group, and no official is greater than the sovereignty of the Republic of Liberia,” he said.
He welcomed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s reported decision to suspend mining activities in the Makona River area, but emphasized that the move should be followed by a transparent and independent inquiry.
“If any individual or entity violated the law or undermined Liberia’s sovereignty, they must be held accountable,” he added.
Diplomacy Over Confrontation
Gongloe urged both Liberians and Guineans to remain calm and allow diplomatic processes to unfold, stressing that disputes of this nature require careful handling.
“Liberia must defend its territorial integrity. Guinea must defend its sovereignty. But both must stand together in defense of peace,” he said.
He called on Presidents Mamady Doumbouya and Joseph Nyuma Boakai to draw on the legacies of former leaders Ahmed Sékou Touré and William V. S. Tubman, whose cooperation, he noted, helped shape the relationship between the two countries.
“The Makona River should be a symbol of cooperation, not confrontation,” Gongloe said.
Discussion about this post