For days now, tensions have increased on Liberia’s northwestern border with Guinea in Lofa County, where Guinean troops reported to have been making encroachments on Liberian territory.
But a statement released by the Information Ministry in Monrovia says President Joseph Nyema Boakai and the government “has taken seize of the situation unfolding along the Liberia–Guinea border and is actively engaging the matter through established diplomatic channels.”
On Tuesday, Liberia’s House of Representatives has expressed concerns about reports of encroachment across the border into the northwestern Lofa County by some members of the Guinean army. Liberian Lawmakers Summon Joint Security About Reported Border Threats, Amid Guinean Army Movements In Lofa – News Public Trust
The Information Ministry’s press statement, signed by Minister Jerolinmek Piah, disclosed that President Boakai has dispatched a high level Liberian delegation to Liberia’s border with Guinea “to address the current situation”.
BELOW IS FULL TEXT OF THE INFORMATION MINISTRY’S PRESS STATEMENT:
G𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐌 𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀–𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 \
(𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐚, 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) The Government assures all citizens and residents that it has taken seize of the situation unfolding along the Liberia–Guinea border and is actively engaging the matter through established diplomatic channels.
This effort is to ensure that tensions along the border are addressed peacefully and in the spirit of good neighborliness that has long characterized relations between the two sisterly nations.
The Liberian Government is working in close coordination with the relevant national and local institutions who are also in contact with their Guinean counterparts to prevent any escalation and to promote dialogue aimed at resolving any concerns arising along the border.
As part of these efforts, His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has, over the past few days, dispatched a high level inter-ministerial delegation to the border with Guinea comprising of the Ministries of Defense, Local Government, Foreign Affairs, and Justice.
The discussions focused on addressing the current situation at the border, strengthening cooperation between local authorities on both sides, and ensuring that peace and stability are maintained for the benefit of citizens residing in border communities.
The Government of Liberia remains committed to resolving all matters through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with Liberia’s long standing foreign policy of maintaining friendly relations with its neighbors in the region.
Meanwhile, the Government urges citizens, particularly those in border communities, to remain law-abiding and to rely only on verified information from official government sources.
The public is also encouraged to avoid spreading unverified reports that may create unnecessary fear or misunderstanding.
The Government assures the Liberian people that it will continue to keep the public informed as engagements with the Guinean authorities progress.
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝: _______________________________________ 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐢𝐚𝐡