Published: March 13, 2026
Tensions along Liberia’s northern frontier with Guinea have once again drawn national attention following a dramatic confrontation in the border town of Sorlumba near Foya, where residents say they were forced to defend what they believe is historically and legally Liberian territory.
At the center of the unfolding story is George Tamba Bundoo, a lifelong resident of Sorlumba, who recounted how ordinary civilians—armed with little more than courage and patriotism—stood face to face with heavily armed Guinean soldiers.
Holding a Liberian flag firmly in his hand during the interview with Spoon TV, Bundoo spoke with emotion and conviction about his connection to the disputed land. “Patriotism gave me the courage to defend my land,” he said. “This ground is for this flag. I feel entitled to this place because it is the place of my ancestors.”
According to Bundoo, his family history in the area spans generations. He explained that his great-grandparents, including elders he identified as Chugbelleh Bundoo and Gaiyaah, were born and lived in Sorlumba Town in Liberia. His father was also born in the same region, and he himself was raised there. “I was born and reared up here,” he said. “I grew up speaking my vernacular, which is Kissi. Knowing myself to be a Liberian, I will not allow any other country to take over this land.”
A History of Disputes
The contested area lies along the Makona River, a natural boundary separating Liberia and Guinea in parts of Lofa County. Residents say disputes over land ownership, river crossings, and checkpoints have persisted for decades. Bundoo believes the historical claim of Liberia to the area is well established. He recalled events from his childhood when government officials from Monrovia visited the region to conduct a survey. “When we were small children, a helicopter used to come from Monrovia and land somewhere near here,” he said. “The delegation spent about two weeks doing a survey. They dug a big pit and cemented the place and wrote certain things on the cement.” To Bundoo, those actions were clear indications that the Liberian government recognized and documented the territory as part of the country. “I know very well that this land is my land,” he insisted.
“This land is for Liberia. This land is not for Guinea and we will not allow anybody to take it from us.”
Diplomatic Efforts
In recent weeks, the situation appeared to be moving toward diplomatic resolution after high-level Liberian officials visited the area. Bundoo confirmed that Liberia’s Minister of Internal Affairs and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces traveled to the border and held discussions with Guinean authorities across the Makona River. “They crossed over and talked to those guys from across,” he said. “When they came back, they told us they wanted to handle the matter diplomatically.” While many residents welcomed the approach, Bundoo said the situation took an alarming turn shortly afterward. “One thing I will tell you is that the group across there in Guinea don’t know diplomacy,” he said.
Armed Incursion
According to Bundoo’s account, the day after the diplomatic engagement, Guinean soldiers returned—this time allegedly carrying weapons. “The next day we just saw them coming in with their arms,” he explained. “They disguised themselves, hid their arms and crossed in canoes. The moment they came out, they started taking positions and brought out their guns.”
Bundoo said he and a local immigration commander identified as Melvin approached the group in an attempt to prevent escalation. “I asked them, ‘Gentlemen, what are you coming to do here?’” he recalled. Some of the soldiers, he said, belonged to the same Kissi ethnic group as many residents of Sorlumba. This allowed him to address them directly in their shared language. “I asked them in Kissi, ‘What are you people coming to do on this soil? This soil does not belong to you.’”
Bundoo reminded them, saying, that both countries had recently agreed to pursue diplomacy rather than confrontation. But the discussion quickly turned tense.
Civilians Mobilize
Word of the soldiers’ presence spread rapidly through the community. “In no time we mobilized men,” Bundoo said. “Although we were civilians, we came together to protect the land.” Residents remained in the area overnight, fearing another attempt by Guinean forces to advance further into the territory. “For two nights we slept here,” Bundoo explained. “We did not go home because we were told they would come back.” The following day, he said, the soldiers returned in larger numbers and reportedly took a bold step that shocked the community. “They uprooted our flag and planted their own pole and hoisted their flag,” Bundoo said.
A Symbolic Standoff
For Bundoo, witnessing the removal of the Liberian flag was a deeply emotional moment. “I came down with tears,” he said. “I started asking myself, what is happening to us as Liberians? What do these Guineans want from us?” Although the Guinean soldiers were armed, Bundoo said the growing number of civilians on the Liberian side gave the community confidence. “We had two or three men assigned to one soldier,” he explained. “We knew that if anything happened, they might even fire their own officers.”
Determined to respond symbolically, residents decided to reassert their presence. “We decided the best thing to do was to hoist our flag too,” Bundoo said. Producing a Liberian flag, the group raised it and sang the national anthem together. “That gave us confidence,” he said.
Historical Claims
Bundoo also pointed to historical usage of the surrounding lands as evidence of Liberia’s claim. He explained that an island near the river belongs to the nearby town of Mah and that Liberian farmers once cultivated the area regularly. “During the days of Presidents Tubman, Tolbert and part of Doe’s time, our people used to farm on that land,” he said. However, he claimed that the situation changed as Guinean military presence increased. “When the Guinea military started growing up, they pushed our people out,” he said. “This is not the first time. It used to happen in the late 1970s.”
Economic Tensions
Beyond territorial claims, Bundoo believes economic issues have also contributed to the dispute. According to him, Guinean canoe operators have long collected fees from Liberians crossing the river. “They collect money for people to cross in their canoes,” he said. “We don’t own canoes here.” In response, local residents established their own checkpoint to collect revenue. “That is what they have problem with,” he said. A
Community on Edge
Despite the tense confrontation, Bundoo said the people of Sorlumba remain determined to defend what they see as their homeland. “We will sacrifice our lives as citizens of this place,” he declared. “Everything we will do to make sure this place is protected—we will do it.”
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