By: Alhaji A. Barrie – Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) have reaffirmed their commitment to cross-border cooperation following a series of high-level engagements in Freetown. Liberia’s Inspector General of Police, Hon. Gregory O.W. Coleman, led the mission, which focused on strengthening security ties between the two Mano River neighbours.
IGP Coleman met with Sierra Leone’s President, Vice President, Attorney General, and Minister of Internal Affairs, underscoring the political will to deepen collaboration.
At the Bintumani International Conference Centre, senior government dignitaries and security chiefs gathered to discuss shared challenges. Sierra Leone’s IGP William Fayia Sellu stressed the need for stronger coordination along shared borders, proposing direct communication lines between border commanders to reduce delays during operations.
IGP Coleman described the engagement as a reaffirmation of “a shared mission to strengthen the bond and make the two nations safer.” He identified cross-border criminality and human trafficking as key concerns requiring joint action.
National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker praised the initiative as timely, urging both services to expand intelligence sharing, joint training, and operational coordination against transnational organised crime.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq., highlighted the impact of Sahel instability on regional mobility and stressed the importance of involving border communities in shaping security strategies.
The engagements concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué by the leadership of the SLP and LNP, outlining commitments to:
– Establish direct communication channels between border commanders
– Expand intelligence-sharing mechanisms
– Coordinate joint patrols and training exercises
– Strengthen community involvement in border security
The renewed partnership between Sierra Leone and Liberia sets a precedent for collaborative security governance in West Africa. As instability in the Sahel continues to ripple across the sub-region, the alliance offers hope for a safer Mano River Basin and a model of cooperation for others to follow.
