LUNGI, Sierra Leone – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for urgent measures to address the Liberia–Guinea border dispute, directing its Commission to fast-track technical assessments and strengthen diplomatic efforts to prevent further tensions in the Mano River region.
The directive was contained in the Final Communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on July 19 in Lungi, Sierra Leone. Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai joined other regional leaders at the summit.
ECOWAS welcomed the partial reopening of the Yenga border between Sierra Leone and Guinea but urged Guinea to fully withdraw its troops from the Yenga and Lofa enclaves in line with the March 16, 2026 Tripartite Communiqué under the Mano River Union framework.
The regional bloc also instructed its Commission to assess existing and potential border flashpoints along the Liberia–Guinea Lofa border and the Sierra Leone–Guinea Yenga border, and develop recommendations for a lasting settlement.
Working with the Mano River Union Secretariat, the African Union, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and other stakeholders, ECOWAS said it remains committed to resolving the disputes through dialogue, cooperation, and adherence to regional agreements rather than military action.
