Monrovia, Liberia – As tensions build in some areas of Lofa County, the government of Liberia has claim that it is firmly in charge of the situation near its northern border with Guinea. However, it cautions civilians against disseminating false information and making inflammatory remarks that could worsen the situation.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information press breifing, the Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh made an official statement informed the public that in order to preserve peace and protect Liberia’s territorial integrity, joint security forces have been stationed and strengthened in impacted regions, especially Sorlumba in Foya District.
“The Government is in full charge of the situation and will continue to address it with the highest degree of maturity and wisdom necessary to protect our sovereignty,” Tweh said.
He disclosed that government has intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation peacefully, including dispatching multiple delegations to both the border region and neighboring Guinea. A high-level Liberian delegation traveled to Conakry on March 13 for talks with Guinean authorities aimed at preventing further incidents.
Those engagements culminated in a high-profile regional meeting involving President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya, and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio. The leaders held what officials described as “cordial and frank” discussions, resulting in a joint communiqué reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence, territorial integrity, and regional cooperation.
The Liberian government pointed out that although the communiqué stressed the inviolability of borders, it did not mention any particular boundary documents or maps. Rather, the leaders decided to restore the status quo and promised to fortify long-standing relationships based on common history and culture.
Authorities voiced alarm over an increase in unsubstantiated allegations, comments, and what they described as phony AI-generated images floating on social and conventional media, despite the diplomatic success. Such content runs the danger of encouraging panic, anxiety, and possible disturbance, the authorities cautioned.
“This issue is sensitive and must be treated with utmost patriotism. The government will not hesitate to take appropriate lawful actions against individuals whose statements undermine national security or public order,” Tweh cautioned.
Cllr. Tweh however urged citizens, especially those in border communities, to remain calm, exercise restraint, and uphold the spirit of peaceful coexistence with neighboring Guinea, adding that despite the government commitment to freedom of speech and of the press, such freedoms must not be used to jeopardize national stability. He added that Liberia will continue to pursue dialogue through regional frameworks, including the Mano River Union, while maintaining a strong security presence to protect its borders and people.
