Conakry, 16th March, 2026 – Following the Mano River Union (MRU) Heads of State Summit in Conakry, Guinea has announced the withdrawal of its troops from the borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Guinea, General Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, confirmed the decision in an official statement issued by the Ministry of National Defense. “Beginning Tuesday, March 17, Guinean troops will be gradually redeployed from the Liberia and Sierra Leone borders,” the statement declared.
According to the communiqué, the summit produced a consensus among member states to resolve border disputes through diplomatic channels and to strengthen interstate cooperation. Leaders pledged to foster security, trust, and peaceful coexistence across the Mano River Basin, a region bound by shared history, geography, and culture.
While reaffirming Guinea’s commitment to peace, the Armed Forces emphasized readiness to defend national territory if required. “Our commitment to dialogue does not diminish our responsibility to safeguard every portion of Guinean soil,” the statement noted.
General Bangoura also urged citizens to remain vigilant and to support ongoing peace and dialogue initiatives. The troop withdrawal, he explained, is part of a broader effort to ensure the effective implementation of the summit’s resolutions.
The decision marks a significant step toward easing tensions in the subregion, where border disputes have long strained relations among MRU member states.
