‘Nothing to Gain from War,’ Boakai Says After Conakry Peace Talks

LOWER MARGIBI, Liberia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai says Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone have reaffirmed their commitment to peace and cooperation along their shared borders following high-level talks in Conakry aimed at defusing rising tensions in the Mano River region.

Speaking to reporters upon his return to Monrovia, President Boakai said the tripartite discussions among leaders of the three neighboring countries reinforced the long-standing historical and cultural ties that bind their people and underscored the need to prevent border disputes from escalating into conflict.

“We all realize that we are the same people that we’ve been working together for a year,” Boakai said. “We’ve got nothing to gain from war, and we shouldn’t waste time on war. We need to be friends and help to develop our people. And we all agree on that. And that was the end of it.”

Conakry Talks Follow Border Confrontation

The meeting in the Guinean capital came amid growing concern over a recent confrontation near the Liberia–Guinea border in the Sorlumba area of Foya District, Lofa County.

Local authorities and residents reported heightened tensions after Guinean soldiers allegedly crossed into territory claimed by Liberia near the border community of Sorlumba.

During the confrontation, gunfire was reportedly heard, and one Liberian civilian sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh. The victim was later transported to a medical facility in the nearby town of Foya for treatment.

Residents also alleged that Guinean troops raised their national flag in a disputed section of land, a move that heightened anxiety among communities already wary of long-standing border disagreements.

Road Construction Dispute Linked to Tensions

Authorities believe the standoff may be linked to an earlier disagreement surrounding road construction along the Foya–Vahun corridor.

Workers extracting sand from the Makona River for the project were reportedly confronted by Guinean security personnel who claimed the site fell within Guinea’s territory.

The Makona River forms part of the boundary separating Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, making the area particularly sensitive to territorial disputes.

Border demarcation across parts of the Mano River region has historically been complicated by colonial-era boundary lines and overlapping land claims by communities living along the frontier.

Fear Spreads Among Border Communities

Authorities in Lofa County said the confrontation created fear among residents in nearby communities.

Some residents reportedly fled temporarily, while economic and daily activities slowed as communities feared further confrontations along the border.

Liberian security authorities later deployed officers to the area to stabilize the situation and discourage civilians from engaging in cross-border confrontations while diplomatic engagements were underway.

Leaders Reaffirm Regional Cooperation

Officials say the Conakry summit provided an opportunity for the three countries to reaffirm cooperation within the Mano River Union framework and strengthen mechanisms for managing sensitive border issues.

President Boakai said the discussions highlighted the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to maintain stability across the region.

“Our focus must be on development,” Boakai said, stressing that the people of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone share deep historical, cultural and economic ties that make peace not only necessary but essential for progress.