Commit to Border Security, Regional Stability
By Ishmail Saidu Kanu
At a high-level tripartite summit in Conakry on 16 March 2026, the Heads of State of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone formally reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security, and orderly development along their shared borders.
The summit was conducted in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good neighbourliness, consistent with international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter.
Present at the meeting were President Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire participating in an observer capacity.
The summit addressed recent tensions within border communities, stressing the necessity of resolving disputes through diplomatic and legally sanctioned mechanisms.
The leaders confirmed their intention to preserve peace and stability within the framework of the Mano River Union (MRU), ensuring that all border-related matters are handled in accordance with Article 33 of the United Nations Charter, which provides for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
In their joint communiqué, the Heads of State reiterated the primacy of law and governance in addressing cross-border security threats, including terrorism, transnational organized crime, and trafficking.
To this end, they agreed to improve cooperation among their respective defence and security agencies, including joint border patrols, intelligence sharing, and the establishment of rapid communication channels between local authorities and national security institutions.
The leaders further recognized that sustainable peace is closely linked to economic development. Accordingly, they committed to facilitating trade, infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, environmental protection, and the free movement of persons and goods within the border regions, consistent with regional and international legal frameworks governing trade and movement.
The summit concluded with directives for relevant national agencies to convene urgently to prevent and manage incidents, facilitate dialogue among communities, and continue technical work to demarcate territorial and maritime boundaries, thereby mitigating the risk of legal disputes.
Furthermore, the Heads of State announced plans for a subsequent MRU summit within one month to strengthen institutional mechanisms for dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration.
The Presidents expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Guinea for the exemplary organization of the summit, mentioning the importance of continued reciprocal visits to reinforce regional solidarity, cooperation, and the rule of law in border management.
