LOFA COUNTY — Conflicting accounts have emerged along the Liberia–Guinea border, with Guinean authorities reporting a return to normalcy while residents in Lofa County describe continued foreign security presence on Liberian soil.
Guinea’s military communication channels say cross-border trade and social activities have resumed in areas such as Kesséné in Guéckédou, signaling calm after recent tensions. Officials have portrayed the situation as stable, emphasizing the reopening of local markets and the restoration of routine interactions between border communities.
However, residents in Lofa County offer a sharply different narrative. According to multiple accounts from locals, Guinean security personnel are still stationed in communities including Kondadu and Sorlumba. Residents further allege that Guinean flags have been hoisted in areas they insist fall within Liberian territory, raising concerns about sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A recent visit by Lofa County Superintendent J. Lavelah Massaquoi to Kondadu reportedly confirmed the presence of Guinean forces beyond what residents perceive to be the established boundary line. While no official statement has been released following the visit, the reported observations have intensified public concern and calls for clarity from national authorities.
In Zorzor District, similar claims have surfaced. Residents allege that a Guinean flag has been erected in Yeala Town, located across the Muluyea River, further deepening anxiety among affected communities.
The situation persists despite recent diplomatic engagements involving Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone in Conakry, where regional leaders sought to ease tensions and promote peaceful coexistence along shared borders.
Local residents warn that the continued uncertainty is already affecting their livelihoods, particularly farming activities that depend on secure access to land. Many have also expressed frustration over what they describe as a limited presence of Liberian security forces in the disputed areas, urging the government to take more decisive action to address the situation and reassure citizens.
As diplomatic efforts continue, communities along the border remain watchful, hoping for a resolution that ensures both peace and respect for national boundaries.
