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Early Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026, social media got flooded with news of Guinean Soldiers re-entering Liberia’s territory to re-hoist their flag on Liberia’s soil. The speculation was prompted by a livestream from SPOON TV in Lofa. The reporter on the livestream stated that Guinean Soldiers have crossed into Liberia to claim a parcel of land despite initial peace negotiations by the three Heads of state. The news created panic amongst citizens.
Reports can be found here, here, here, and here.
The peace dialogue
On March 16, 2026, the President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, alongside the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, led a delegation to Conakry, Guinea, to have a peace talk with the President of Guinea, Mamadi Doumbouya, aimed at easing simmering tensions that erupted at Guinea’s borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone.
On March 16, 2026, the three Heads of State concluded a high-level consultation in Conakry, reaching a shared agreement through a Resolution to pursue a peaceful, diplomatic approach to the ongoing border tensions among their countries.
Background of the conflict
The Government of Sierra Leone, in a press release on February 24, 2026, confirmed that personnel of the Guinean Armed Forces crossed into the border town of Kalieyereh-Sierra on February 23 and apprehended 16 members of the Joint Security Team of Sierra Leone and transported them into Guinea’s territory.
The action was in support of claims of 1.4 kilometres of land in Sierra Leone’s territory, which the Guineans want control over.
Thereafter, Guinea’s soldiers also crossed into Liberia’s territory on March 2, 2026, and hoisted their flag in Sorlumba Port of Entry, Lofa County. According to Guinea, the decision by BK Enterprise, a Liberia-based sand mining company, to operate within its jurisdiction along the Makona River must be halted.
The situation created tension and spread fear among community dwellers. However, the community’s youth gathered under the same light and hoisted Liberia’s flag in the same area. The counterattack by the Lofa youth prompted the Guineans to withdraw their flag and retreat.
The Armed Forces of Guinea returned on the 11th of March to open fire on civilians, a situation that escalated the matter, as reported by DUBAWA. In light of this tension, President Joseph Boakai and President Julius Maada Bio traveled to Conakry to negotiate peace with Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya.
Findings
The Government of Liberia, in a press release late Tuesday, March 17, announced that the three countries signed a Communiqué reaffirming their leaders’ commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and security along their shared borders.
“In this regard, the Governments of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone have issued a Joint Communiqué reaffirming the commitment of their respective leaders to maintain peace, stability, and security along their shared borders. The communiqué underscores the longstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence among border communities and calls for an immediate return to the established status quo.”
The Government said the troops observed at the Sorlumba Port of Entry on Tuesday were part of the withdrawal process as previously agreed.
“At the same time, the Government noted that certain troop movements (along the Border in Solumba, Lofa County), observed earlier today, generated public concern. Following engagement with the Guinean authorities, Liberia has been informed that these movements were undertaken as part of the operational process to implement the withdrawal directive.”
The statement said the three Heads of State further reaffirmed their shared commitment to addressing any issues arising within the Mano River Union. This will be done through peaceful diplomatic means, in keeping with Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Charter encourages the settlement of disputes through dialogue, negotiation, and other peaceful processes.
Furthermore, Guinea’s Ministry of National Defense, through the General Staff of the Armed Forces, issued a directive for Army personnel at the borders to withdraw gradually.
“The General Staff of the Armed Forces informs national and international opinion that following the summit of Heads of State of the Mano River Union held in Conakry, this Monday, March 16, 2026, it was agreed among others: to end border disputes between the three States through diplomatic means; to encourage inter-state cooperation to guarantee a climate of security and trust between neighboring peoples bound by history, geography and culture. To this end, the General Staff of the Armed Forces wishes to thank the people of Guinea for their patriotism and the calm observed during this period. It also congratulates the engaged Defence and Security Forces, who demonstrated proactivity and self-control in accomplishing their sovereign mission.
“The General Staff of the Armed Forces, on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Guinean Armed Forces and the Minister of National Defense, reiterates its commitment to firmly defend every portion of the national territory, symbol of our sovereignty. To effectively implement the conclusions of this summit, the General Staff of the Armed Forces decided to gradually reduce the defense system deployed along the Guinean borders, starting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The General Staff of the Armed Forces invites the population to remain vigilant and to support initiatives for peace and dialogue between the brotherly countries of the Mano River Union.”
Additionally, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), through its Office in Lofa, refuted a sensational report in their media on Tuesday that Guinea soldiers re-hoisted flags in Liberia, causing panic among citizens. The statement urged journalists to practice professionalism and sensitive reporting in times of conflict.
PUL Lofa office confirmed that Soldiers crossed into Liberia’s territory but didn’t take any action to cause tension among citizens; rather, it was media reports that created fear among citizens.
Moreover, a video interview with the Soldiers on Voice of Lofa shows the Guinea Army saying they crossed into Liberia for a visit after getting a directive to withdraw from the border. A representative told community leaders that they never came to cause harm or re-hoist their flag. The interaction can be found from 12:30 to 16 minutes.
Conclusion
Based on DUBAWA’s findings, Guinea Soldiers crossed into Liberia’s territory after the Peace Dialogue between Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone in Conakry, but didn’t hoist the flag or cause harm to citizens.
