MONROVIA, Liberia — September 15, 2026: The Government of Liberia hosted a high-level policy meeting dedicated to the reaffirmation of the country’s land boundaries and the formal delimitation of its maritime borders. The session took place at the Ministry of Local Government in Monrovia, bringing together key ministries, agencies, commissions, and relevant state institutions to align strategic objectives under the framework of the African Union Border Programme (AUBP).
The gathering enabled stakeholders to evaluate ongoing initiatives, address outstanding technical challenges, and establish practical measures to advance Liberia’s boundary management strategy. According to an official press release from the Ministry of Local Government, the executive-level session was designed to address critical matters raised by the Liberia Technical Border Committee. The committee actively collaborates with counterparts from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire through Joint Technical Commissions established under the AUBP.
Co-chaired by the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Land Boundary Reaffirmation and Maritime Delimitation comprises 15 key institutions. Participating entities include the Liberia Land Authority, the Liberia Maritime Authority, the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of National Defense.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Local Government, F. Sakila Nyumalin Sr., Deputy Minister for Decentralization Edward K. Mulbah detailed the ongoing land boundary reaffirmation processes and highlighted the core objectives of the AUBP. Deputy Minister Mulbah outlined the specific responsibilities of participating agencies, emphasizing their collective role in reinforcing national border security, facilitating cross-border stability, and advancing technical demarcation operations.
Representing the Dean of the Cabinet, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal Affairs Jeddi Mowbray Armah stressed the crucial need to empower the technical committee with resources and administrative backing to meet its national and international mandates effectively.
During the session, the Technical Border Committee delivered a presentation outlining current progress, operational challenges, and strategic recommendations. The presentation emphasized the immediate need for sustainable funding, enhanced documentation capabilities, and improved inter-agency coordination. Additionally, the committee urged cabinet ministers to engage the National Legislature to accelerate the ratification of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (the Niamey Convention), which was formally submitted by the President in June 2026.
Stakeholders highlighted the priority of strengthening Liberia’s technical and evidentiary archives, specifically through the systematic identification, retrieval, and preservation of historical border records. The Center for National Documents and Records Agency (National Archives) was designated as a crucial institution for this task. Participants urged increased investment in modernizing archival infrastructure, emphasizing that scanning, digitizing, and securely storing historical state papers are essential to solidifying Liberia’s legal standing during boundary negotiations.
To sustain momentum, participants agreed on a practical roadmap moving forward. Key outcomes include formulating an operational budget supported by contributions from participating entities and organizing a dedicated working retreat. This upcoming retreat will allow technical experts and policymakers to review historical documentation, address data gaps, and refine the national boundary work plan.
Concluding the proceedings, the Ministries of Local Government and Foreign Affairs reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with internal institutions and regional partners to enhance Liberia’s border governance, protect vital historical records, and ensure the peaceful, orderly reaffirmation of the nation’s land and maritime frontiers.
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