Guinea turns away Liberians

Guinean authorities are maintaining borders closure with Liberia despite President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s last week pronouncement of borders re-opening.

The NewDawn correspondent in Nimba said since President Sirleaf announced the re-opening of Liberia’s borders with neighboring Guinea, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone, Guinea’s borders remained closed with border security turning away Liberians traveling to that country.

The Government of Liberia re-opened her borders on Monday, February 23, 2015 as part of steps after a significant drop in Ebola infections here. Since the pronouncement, Guinean business people and vehicles have been crossing into Liberia, particularly through the Ganta Border in Nimba County.

A NewDawn’s investigation gathers that Guineans are happy over the re-opening of the Liberian side of the border, for the first time since the outbreak of the Ebola virus, which was transmitted from Guinea into Liberia through Lofa County.

During a visit by this paper to the Ganta main border, Guineans crossing into Liberia were seen going thru preventive measures set in place by the Liberian government, which is being implemented by a non-government organization, Global Community Partners for Good.

The group has donated several Ebola preventive materials at the various entry points in the country. The NGO has also assisted the Government of Liberia in constructing booths at the various crossing points.

Our Nimba correspondent said, during the second day of normal activities following the re-opening the border, marketers from Liberia, including travelers on their way to Guinea, were stopped by Guinean border security.

When contacted, Guinean soldiers at the border said, they have not been instructed to re-open the border with Liberia. Since the Liberian side of the border was re-opened by President Sirleaf about a week ago, Guinea is yet to respond accordingly. 

By Franklin Doloquee, Nimba