Monrovia – Col. Michel Ange Bangoura, Director of Operations of the Guinean Army, headed a five-man delegation to pay a courtesy visit with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), headed by Chief of Staff, Major General Prince C. Johnson.
The meeting, which was held at the Ministry of National Defense in Monrovia, brought together both countries’ military top brass, who signed an agreement for peace and security of both countries.
The head of the Guinean delegation, Col. Bangoura, through an interpreter as he spoke French, said he and his men came to meet with the Liberian Army in order to establish a border patrol between both countries in order to combat terrorism activities, which have surfaced in the West African Region.
“After a democratic election in both countries, we saw that we have a developmental vision for our both countries, because we cannot talk about development without peace and security. Therefore, that task is for us, men in uniform, to carry on the task for the protection of our civilian population. This is why we have to sit together on the table to discuss for a joint patrol to be established, which is not late at all, but on time,” said Col. Bangoura.
According to Col. Bangoura, during the reign of their first President Ahmed Sékou Touré in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, both Liberia and Guinea worked hand-in-hand so much so that whenever there was a problem in Liberia, Guinea would be concerned, likewise, if there was a problem in Guinea, Liberia would also be concerned because they share borders, and what effects one country, effects the other.
“We all were young when Portugal mercenaries attacked Guinea in 1970’s, and all of the African countries came together to help to rescue Guinea,” said Col. Bangoura.
Even though those top brass signed the peace pact, they maintained that at the moment, there are no immediate threats on the borders of both nations.
“There is no threat; but looking at the present situation in the West African Region, we can see that terrorism has spread from Mali to the Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast is closers to both countries, and then it has gone to Burkina Faso, also. Therefore, we do not have to wait for it to happen to Guinea or Liberia before we build up a defense. So, this is why there is a need for border patrol of both countries to be ready to combat future threats from outside,” Chief of Staff Johnson assured.
The Guinean delegation, which spent two days in Liberia, extended an invitation to the Liberian Army’s Chief of Staff to visit Conakry, too.