Mamawa S. Richards, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy, Monrovia, Liberia
In a move aimed at preventing land disputes and strengthening cross-border cooperation, the Commissioner General of the Sierra Leone National Land Commission, Mr. Abubakarr Sappay Foray Musa, and the Chairman of the Liberia Land Authority, Honourable Samuel F. Kpakio, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on land management and border governance.
The agreement, signed during a three-day working visit by the Sierra Leone delegation to Liberia, seeks to enhance collaboration between the two nations, promote sustainable development, and maintain peace along their shared borders. The visit focused on advancing land governance strategies to strengthen bilateral ties and foster unity between the neighbouring states.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Musa emphasised that the MoU represents a proactive step in addressing existing land disputes while putting in place measures to prevent future conflicts.
“This agreement underscores our mutual commitment to ensuring clear demarcations, protecting land rights, and promoting peace and economic stability for border communities,” he stated. “It opens the door for greater cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, trade, and environmental conservation.”
The Liberia Land Authority, established in 2017/18 under the Land Commission Law of 2016, was separated from the Ministry of Mines, Lands and Energy to function as an independent body responsible for the country’s entire land governance sector. Chairman Kpakio noted that despite challenges during its formative years, the Authority has made significant progress in improving land administration in Liberia.
“This MoU aligns with our shared vision to strengthen land governance, promote responsible land administration, secure land rights, and enhance sustainable land management in both countries,” Hon. Kpakio said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Ambassador Luseni Kallon, who commended the initiative as a milestone in regional diplomacy and cooperation.
Officials from both sides expressed optimism that the agreement would serve as a model for cross-border land governance across the Mano River Union region, ensuring that land resources are managed equitably and disputes are resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding. The Sierra Leone delegation to the conference included:
Mr. Abubakarr Sappay Foray Musa, Commissioner General, National Land Commission; Mr. Samuel Navo, Commissioner for Land Title Registration; Dr. Alfred Bockarie, Commissioner for Cadastre and Index Mapping; Mr. Abdul Kabba, Head of IT; Mr. Amadu Kamara, District Land Commissioner, Bombali district.
