By Musa Karim
Tensions are rising along the Liberia–Guinea border in Foya District, Lofa County, where local residents have gathered to resist what they describe as an encroachment by Guinean soldiers onto Liberian territory.
Residents, many of them youth, assembled near the disputed area and raised the Liberian national flag close to a location where Guinean troops had earlier hoisted their own flag, according to local activists and community sources.
The situation has raised concerns about a potential escalation in the border area, with residents calling on the Liberian government to intervene and strengthen security.
“If it causes for us to die, we will die,” one resident said during the gathering, reflecting the determination among some locals to defend what they believe is Liberian land.
Liberian authorities had not immediately issued an official statement on the incident at the time of publication.
Local activist Martin K. N. Kollie, writing from exile, said the situation required urgent diplomatic engagement and increased security presence to prevent further escalation.
“Our territories, communities and people must be protected,” Kollie said, urging the government to deploy additional security forces to the border and pursue dialogue with Guinea.
He also claimed that Guinea is seeking to assert control over about 1,000 kilometres of land along the frontier, though Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
Border disputes between Liberia and Guinea have surfaced periodically over the years, often involving disagreements about boundary demarcation and the movement of security forces in remote areas.
Regional analysts say diplomatic engagement between the two governments will be critical to prevent tensions from escalating into confrontation between local residents and armed forces.
Authorities in both countries have previously emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of border issues through dialogue and established regional mechanisms.
Further details about the latest developments in Foya were not immediately available.
