Tensions that recently gripped the Sorlumba border between Liberia and Guinea have eased following a high-level bilateral dialogue aimed at resolving a dispute over sand-mining activities along the Makona River.
The diplomatic engagement, held on March 8, 2026, brought together senior officials from both countries after weeks of growing concern over territorial claims and halted mining operations near the border community in Foya District, Lofa County.
Liberia’s Internal Affairs Minister and Minister of Local Government-designate, Hon. Francis Sakila Nyumalin, led a high-powered delegation to Guinea to address the situation. The team included Armed Forces of Liberia Chief of Staff Gen. Davidson F. Forleh, Assistant Minister for the Bureau of Corrections at the Ministry of Justice Atty. Gabriel Nydupellar, Ambassador-at-Large for Special Duties Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyateh, Ambassador J. Henric Pearson, Director General of the Department of Passports, Visas and Diplomatic Intelligence, along with Lofa County Superintendent J. Lavelah Massaquoi and several local stakeholders.
The dispute began weeks earlier when BK Enterprise initiated sand excavation in the Makona River near the Liberia–Guinea boundary. During the operation, armed Guinean soldiers reportedly crossed the river, halted the mining work, and seized the equipment being used. The soldiers argued that the river belongs to Guinea and that no excavation could proceed without authorization from Guinean authorities.
Subsequent information confirmed that the suspension of the mining activities and the confiscation of the equipment had been ordered by the Superintendent of Guéckédou Prefecture, Gen. M. Kandia Mara.
In response to the incident, Minister Nyumalin earlier made an emergency visit to the border to obtain firsthand information and engage local authorities. That visit paved the way for the bilateral meeting between the two governments.
Upon arriving at the border for the scheduled talks, Liberian security officers briefed the delegation about the situation on the ground. According to the security team, tensions had escalated after the Liberian flag was moved from its original checkpoint position to the riverside in an effort to make Liberia’s presence more visible.
Guinean authorities reportedly objected to the relocation, claiming not only ownership of the river but also roughly 800 meters of territory extending from the river toward the Liberian side. The placement of the Liberian flag near the river therefore became a point of contention, prompting both countries to increase security presence along the border and causing a slowdown in cross-border trade.
Despite the tension, Minister Nyumalin praised Liberian security personnel for maintaining order and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
Shortly after the Liberian delegation arrived, Guinean representatives crossed the river by canoe to escort the delegation across the border. A total of 43 Liberian officials traveled into Guinea for the discussions, which were held at the administrative building in Guéckédou and chaired by Guinea’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization, Gen. Ibrahima Condé.
During the meeting, both delegations emphasized the deep historical ties between Liberia and Guinea, noting that communities along the border share strong cultural, commercial, and family connections.
Guinean elders present at the meeting also offered a historical account of the Makona River dispute, asserting that the river belongs to Guinea. They referenced a principle linked to past understandings under the Organization of African Unity (OAU), suggesting that when a river forms a natural boundary between two countries, control is often attributed to the country where the river originates. Since the Makona River originates in Guinea, they argued that the waterway should be considered Guinean territory.
After hours of deliberation, the Liberian delegation agreed, in the interest of maintaining peace and stability along the border, to move the Liberian flag back to its original checkpoint location.
“President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is a man of peace, which is why he continues to promote peace within the Mano River Union and across the region,” Minister Nyumalin stated during the meeting.
The Liberian government also requested that Guinean authorities release the sand-mining equipment that had been confiscated and allow the excavation to resume. Minister Nyumalin explained that the sand was intended for development projects in Liberia that could also benefit border communities in both countries.
Guinean authorities responded positively to the request but said the final decision would depend on a technical assessment by Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Geology.
“Our Ministry of Mines will inspect the equipment. If it is determined that the machines are designed for mining minerals other than sand, we may not release them,” Minister Condé explained. “Our technicians will also conduct an evaluation before any decision is made regarding the continuation of the excavation activities.”
Minister Nyumalin clarified that the drag machines in question are typically used to facilitate sand extraction during the rainy season, when manual excavation becomes difficult, and are not designed for mining minerals such as gold or diamonds.
Condé assured the Liberian delegation that technical experts would thoroughly review the matter to ensure transparency and avoid future misunderstandings between the two neighboring countries.
The meeting concluded with a cordial reception hosted at the residence of Gen. Kandia Mara, after which the Liberian delegation returned home without incident.
Authorities say calm has now been fully restored at the Sorlumba border, and normal cross-border trade between Liberia and Guinea has resumed.
