Conakry – Liberia and next-door Guinea have both pledged a commitment to strengthen cross-border security and information hearing.
The commitment was made recently when a Liberian delegation led by Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill received Guinea’s Minister of State for Defense and Presidential Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Diané.
Carrying a message from President George Weah, the Liberian delegation was also composed of the Chief of Staff of Liberia’s Armed Forces. With Nathaniel F. McGill, Dr. Mohamed Diané discussed both embraced the idea of border security concerns.
Dr. Mohamed Diané (surrounded by his close collaborators) assured his hosts of Guinea’s willingness to work closely with the Liberian authorities in different areas of common interest.
Minister McGill recalled the historical ties that bind his country to Guinea since the creation of the Organization of African Unity. He said that Liberia, recognizing, remains and remains a reliable partner of Guinea.
Dr. Diané (surrounded assured his Liberian counterpart of Guinea’s willingness to work closely with the Liberian authorities in different areas of common interest.
Recalling the historical ties binding the two countries, Minister McGill said that Liberia remains a reliable partner of Guinea.
For years, the Mano River Region, which includes Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, have been plagued by civil wars and political crises leading to more than 500,000 deaths and the destruction of the functioning of state institutions.
Achieving justice and securing lasting peace remains a challenge for the countries in the region.
Countries in the region share strong historical and cultural ties: Mandigoes reside in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone while Fulas are present in most countries across West Africa including Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali.
Civil wars and political crises have spurred a reciprocation of citizens from neighboring countries flooding the other in search of opportunities, skills development, training and employment. In Sierra Leone and Liberia in particular, disenfranchised youths and former combatants– considered a root cause of previous conflicts continue to face social, economic and political exclusion.
In addition, border points remain vulnerable to trade in illicit drugs, human trafficking, illegal arms and for criminal violence.