President Bio Joins Guinea and Liberia Leaders in Emergency Talks Over Border Tensions

Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, is currently in Conakry, Guinea, where he is participating in a high-level emergency summit with the Presidents of Guinea and Liberia to address rising tensions within the Mano River Basin.

The urgent meeting was convened amid growing concerns that escalating border issues could threaten stability across the sub-region. According to regional authorities, the discussions are being closely monitored by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has warned that unresolved disputes and security challenges along the borders could undermine peace in the area.

Central to the summit is the long-standing territorial dispute surrounding Yenga, a border town that has remained a sensitive flashpoint between Sierra Leone and Guinea for years. Recent reports of military incursions and the temporary detention of soldiers near the contested area have heightened tensions and prompted renewed diplomatic engagement among the three countries.

Beyond the territorial issue, the leaders are also addressing the growing threat of cross-border trafficking. The talks come in the wake of a recent high-profile arrest involving a Liberian official who was reportedly apprehended while entering Sierra Leone with approximately 600 strips of illegal drugs. The incident has raised alarm about the porous nature of regional borders and their role in facilitating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

Officials say the summit aims to strengthen cooperation among the Mano River Basin countries, particularly in the areas of border security and intelligence sharing.

A joint communiqué is expected later in the day, with observers anticipating announcements on coordinated border patrols and renewed commitments toward the final technical demarcation of the Sierra Leone–Guinea border. The move is expected to reduce the risk of future military standoffs and foster long-term stability in the region.