CONAKRY, March 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone pledged to resolve a border dispute through dialogue, after Conakry deployed troops to its frontier.

Their closed-door meeting, held in Conakry on Monday and led by Guinea's leader Mamady Doumbouya, came amid disputes regarding the contours of the neighbours' territory.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai and Sierra Leonean leader Julius Maada Bio attended the talks, while Cote d'Ivoire, which borders both Guinea and Liberia, acted as a "witness country", according to Guinean authorities.

The four nations are members of the Mano River Union, an association aimed at facilitating free trade, infrastructure development and bolstering security in the Mano River Basin.

Guinea deployed troops to its border with Liberia on Sunday, according to images released by the military's press office.

The images show a convoy of military vehicles, pickup trucks and armoured vehicles parked in front of a military camp, along with heavily armed soldiers.

Doumbouya is seen presenting them with the national flag before their departure.

"I, Mamady Doumbouya, assure the people of Guinea that no portion of the land bequeathed to us by our ancestors will be conquered by anyone", he said, according to the military press office.

On Monday, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone agreed to "resolve border incidents through dialogue and diplomatic mechanisms," according to a statement read on Guinean state broadcaster RTG after the meeting.

The leaders "reaffirmed their commitment to preserve peace and stability in the Mano River region and avoid any escalation of tensions at the borders," according to the statement.

The three countries also announced the creation of joint technical commissions to look into border delimitation and management.

Guinea's Doumbouya, who came to power in a 2021 coup, was elected president in late December in a vote that excluded all major opposition leaders.

On Thursday, the Liberian government called on its citizens living along the border with Guinea to remain calm and avoid escalation, after clashes injured one person.

In late February, border incidents also occurred between Guinea and Sierra Leone, with each side accusing the other's military of crossing the frontier.

Sierra Leone also accused Guinean troops of detaining its soldiers and police for several days after clashes.