By Morlu Freeman
Presidents Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia and Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone have called for stronger diplomatic engagement to address growing peace and security concerns in the Mano River Union (MRU) region.
The two leaders met Monday in Nairobi, Kenya, on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit, where they discussed border disputes and regional instability affecting Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
President Bio described President Boakai as his “Big Brother” and emphasized the importance of regular consultations among regional leaders at a time when the sub-region faces mounting challenges. He noted that tensions along the borders of the three MRU states continue to undermine regional progress and cooperation.
Both leaders stressed that resolving border disputes through diplomacy remains in the best interest of the peoples of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. They welcomed a proposal by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara for the convening of a Mano River Union summit aimed at addressing the lingering disputes.
The presidents also discussed delays affecting the construction of the MRU headquarters and the restructuring of the MRU Secretariat, projects they said have stalled because of the border tensions.
President Boakai additionally raised concerns over the reported influx of Burkinabees into Liberia’s Sarpo National Park, linking the situation to instability in the Sahel region.
The two leaders concluded that diplomacy remains the best path toward lasting peace, stability and regional cooperation.
