By: Aminata Sesay
In a landmark move towards regional integration and peacebuilding, Sierra Leone and Liberia have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving border governance and preventing future land disputes. The agreement, which was finalized during a high-level visit by Sierra Leone’s National Land Commission delegation to Liberia, underscores both countries’ commitment to fostering regional stability, sustainable development, and diplomatic cooperation.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Abubakarr Sappay Foray Musa, Commissioner General of Sierra Leone’s National Land Commission, and Honourable Samuel F. Kpakio, Chairman of the Liberia Land Authority. The agreement lays the foundation for a unified approach to land management along their shared borders, which have long been seen as potential flash-points for conflict.
“Our nations are bound not just by geography, but by history and shared aspirations for peace,” Mr. Musa remarked during the signing ceremony. “This agreement moves us from reactive conflict resolution to proactive peacebuilding ensuring our border communities can thrive in an environment of clarity, cooperation, and mutual respect.”
The three-day working visit included in-depth discussions on joint land governance strategies, with an emphasis on transparency, land rights protection, and sustainable resource management. Both parties agreed that the pact would strengthen not only bilateral ties but also broader cooperation within the Mano River Union region.
Chairman Kpakio hailed the MoU as a key milestone for regional diplomacy, stating, “We’re not just securing land; we’re securing futures. Effective land governance is the cornerstone of peace, agricultural productivity, and environmental stewardship.”
Since gaining autonomy in 2017, the Liberia Land Authority, which separated from the Ministry of Mines, Lands and Energy, has played a central role in modernizing land administration in the country. Despite initial challenges, the Authority has emerged as a crucial institution in Liberia’s national development, and this new partnership will further extend its regional influence.
His Excellency Ambassador Luseni Kallon, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Ambassador to Liberia, praised the agreement as a breakthrough in cross-border collaboration. “This MoU serves as a blueprint for African nations to solve shared challenges through dialogue and innovation,” he said.
The Sierra Leone delegation, which was comprised of top land governance experts, included Mr. Samuel Navo (Land Title Registration), Dr. Alfred Bockarie (Cadastre and Index Mapping), Mr. Abdul Kabba (Head of IT), and Mr. Amadu Kamara (District Land Commissioner, Bombali).
With the signing of this MoU, both Sierra Leone and Liberia aim to set a precedent for resolving land issues diplomatically, turning land into a symbol of cooperation rather than division.