By Hajaratu S. Bangura
The Government of Sierra Leone has announced plans to revive the Mano River Union (MRU) as part of renewed efforts to address border-related issues through diplomacy and regional cooperation.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Civic Day Series in Falaba District, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, David Fortune, revealed that the recent tripartite meeting involving Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia resulted in an agreement to reactivate the Mano River Union. He explained that the move is aimed at strengthening dialogue and resolving cross-border concerns without conflict.
According to him, a Ministerial Council meeting is expected within a month to address technical aspects, which will be followed by a summit of Heads of State to consider and implement key recommendations. He emphasized that diplomacy remains the preferred approach and that the recent Sierra Leone–Guinea situation demonstrated the importance of dialogue over confrontation.
Mr. Fortune also highlighted Falaba District’s impressive security record, describing it as currently the safest and most peaceful district in the country based on crime statistics. He urged residents to sustain this achievement, stressing that peace and safety are critical foundations for development. “Security business is everybody’s business,” he noted, calling for continued collaboration between communities and security institutions.
As he outlined the role of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he said efforts are ongoing to strengthen public safety through key agencies, including the Sierra Leone Police, which is transitioning into a service-oriented institution to better respond to citizens’ needs. He added that reforms are also underway in corrections, focusing on rehabilitation and skills training for inmates, while immigration services are being decentralized to improve access across the country.
He further pointed to community-based strategies such as the establishment of Chiefdom Safety Committees to promote local participation in maintaining law and order. He stressed that national security is a shared responsibility, with both institutions and citizens playing vital roles in sustaining peace and stability.
