a P.O.V. by Emmanuel A. Lomax
To: His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai President of the Republic of Liberia
Subject: Formal Recommendation for a Sustainable Resolution to the Makona River Territorial Dispute
Your Excellency,
I am writing to you as a senior citizen of the Republic of Liberia regarding the ongoing territorial tensions at our border with the Republic of Guinea. While I commend your recent summit in Conakry and your commitment to peace, the subsequent incursion and flag-planting by Guinean forces at the Makona River require a shift from symbolic site visits to a more structured, high-level policy framework.
Given the current economic and military disparities between our two nations, I respectfully submit the following four (4) policy recommendations to safeguard our sovereignty through the rule of law and regional diplomacy:
- Prioritize Technical Border Demarcation I urge the government to immediately establish a Joint Technical Commission (JTC). This commission should focus on a definitive mapping of the Lofa-Guinea border based on the 1907 Paris Agreement and existing historical treaties. We must move from verbal claims to the installation of permanent physical beacons using modern GPS technology.
- Escalate Diplomatic Mediation through ECOWAS and the MRU While bilateral talks are essential, Liberia should formally petition the ECOWAS Commission to deploy a technical assessment mission with the participation of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). By involving the UN as a neutral mediator, we can establish a supervised “Disengagement Plan” that sets a strict 48-hour timeline for Guinean forces to return to their side of the Makona River under international observation.
- Request International Satellite Boundary Verification To settle the technical disputes over the river boundary once and for all, Liberia should request technical assistance from the African Union (AU) Border Programme. By using AU-certified satellite mapping and colonial-era cartography archives held in international repositories, we can produce a definitive, internationally recognized map that Guinea cannot dispute, providing a legal basis for their permanent exit.
- Establishment of an International Border Monitoring Force (IBMF) I recommend a small, neutral International Border Monitoring Force comprised of military observers from non-conflicting MRU or ECOWAS states, to remain until a permanent demarcation is completed. This force would act as a “buffer” at the Sorlumba Port of Entry, ensuring that neither side makes unilateral moves and providing our citizens in Lofa the security of international protection.
Mr. President, bringing in the international community does not signal weakness; it signals our commitment to the rule of law and regional peace. By internationalizing the resolution process, we ensure that Guinea is held accountable to the global community for its withdrawal.
Respectfully,
Emmanuel A. Lomax Bong County, Liberia
