Monrovia, Liberia: The House of Representatives’ Specialized Committee reviewing the Liberia–Guinea Implementation Agreement (IA) on Tuesday held a public hearing with the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs to determine the current status of the bilateral arrangement. The IA, signed in 2019 and ratified in 2021, sets the framework for Guinea’s use of Liberia’s rail and port infrastructure.
During the hearing, Liberia’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Administration, Gabriel H. Salee, told lawmakers that the ministry had no information on the agreement’s implementation, raising serious concern among lawmakers.
“We have no idea about the status of this agreement. We didn’t participate at any level and cannot provide information at this time,” he said.
His assertions were greeted by thorough inquiries from notable members of the committee including Rep. Ivar Jones of Margibi, Rep. Blue Benson of Montserrado and Jeremiah Sokan of Grand Gedeh County. They raised concerns about how MoFA, as the custodian of treaties, could be unaware of the IA’s progress.
“Did we share copies of our ratified agreement with our Guinean counterparts? If it is not passed there, it cannot be binding, regardless of our ratification here,” Rep. Ivar Jones of Margibi County stated.
Similarly, Rep. Michael Thomas questioned why Liberia was not invited to Guinea’s recent dedication of an 850-meter rail segment and raised issues regarding due diligence on Ivanhoe, a company linked to the project.
Rep. Jeremiah Sokan warned that it would be “problematic” to undertake an agreement of this magnitude without ensuring the full consent of neighboring Guinea.
However, the Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Charles D.F. Karmo, outlined the agreement’s background and said it follows earlier cooperation dating back to 1973. He described the IA as a logistical arrangement for transporting Guinean mining products through Liberia.
“Liberia has excess rail capacity and is obligated under the agreement to allow the movement of Guinean products,” he noted, adding that safeguards exist, including Liberia’s right to terminate the deal if obligations are not met.
Following extended queries, the Committee adjourned the hearing to next Tuesday for further deliberations. Committee Chair Hon. Foday E. Fahnbulleh reaffirmed the body’s commitment to transparency and compliance in all international agreements.
