-Pres. Boakai Assures Nation as Border Tensions with Guinea De-escalate
Monrovia, Liberia – In an address to the nation on Wednesday, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., reassured Liberians that his administration is managing the sensitive security situation along the border with Guinea through “peaceful and diplomatic means,” emphasizing that the nation’s hard-won stability will not be jeopardized.
Delivering a “Message to the Nation” from the Executive Mansion, the President confirmed recent developments near the border in the Sorlumba area of Foyah District, Lofa County. While acknowledging that the situation has “understandably attracted the attention” of the public, he sought to project calm, stating that the government is “fully engaged” and acting with “determination.”
“Let me be clear to every Liberian: Our pursuit of a peaceful resolution is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of strength,” President Boakai said. “It is easy to fight, break down, and destroy. As our own journey has taught us, it is more difficult to recover and build.”
The President, in his capacity as Commander in Chief, detailed the immediate steps taken by his administration to de-escalate the matter. He confirmed that direct diplomatic engagement with Conakry had been initiated, and that Liberia had worked closely with its sister republic, Sierra Leone, under the framework of the Mano River Union to foster dialogue.
According to President Boakai, these trilateral efforts are yielding results. He announced that following the high-level engagements, the Government of Guinea has issued instructions for its security forces to return to their previous positions along the border. He described this as a critical step toward de-escalation and a testament to a “shared recognition that peace and stability must always guide our actions.”
“We are encouraged that the Government of Guinea has issued instructions for its forces to return to their previous positions,” President Boakai stated. “All parties have agreed to work toward restoring the status quo and ensuring that our border communities continue to live in peace and uphold mutual respect and trust.”
Striking a deeply personal tone, the President anchored his message in Liberia’s collective memory of conflict and reconciliation. He framed the current approach not as a concession, but as a necessary measure to protect the peace that was forged through “sacrifice, reconciliation, and the determination to reverse the past after many years of hardship.”
“That peace is precious, and this government will do everything within its power to protect and preserve it,” he affirmed.
To ensure stability on the Liberian side, President Boakai assured the nation that security institutions—including the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police—remain “vigilant and professional,” working in concert with local authorities in the border regions to maintain calm.
He also extended gratitude to regional and international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), for their messages of support and encouragement, noting that their solidarity “reaffirms Liberia’s standing in the community of nations.”
Concluding his address, the President appealed directly to the patriotism of Liberians, urging citizens, particularly those in border communities, to remain calm and law-abiding. He cautioned against the spread of “unverified information or rumors” that could incite unnecessary anxiety, asking the public to allow the nation’s security and diplomatic institutions the space to complete their work.
“Liberia has not only maintained peace within its own borders but has also played a significant role in helping to bring peace to other nations,” President Boakai reminded the nation. “Today, as we manage this situation, we remain guided by those same principles.”
