The Guinean government has deported eight Liberians from Guinea, reportedly as a retaliatory measure linked to the alleged sexual assault of a Guinean woman, Zainab Bah, in Liberia. The Junta regime denied allegations of retaliatory deportations, stating that the Liberians were deported due to overstaying their refugee status.
According to reports, the Liberians were forcefully deported without resettlement benefits from the United Nations. They were also not allowed to take their personal belongings with them. Emmanuel Johnson, one of the affected individuals, described the ordeal, stating that they were bundled into vehicles at gunpoint and driven to Lofa County.
Johnson further revealed that since their arrival in Liberia on July 27, they have been abandoned by the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) and are surviving on the mercy of neighbors. Many of the deportees have been living in Guinea for over 30 years.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) initially claimed that Zainab Bah was arrested on allegations of power theft, but after a thorough investigation, the LNP dropped the charges against Bah and instead charged her with disorderly conduct. According to the LNP, their initial restraint was justified, as Madam Bah later transitioned to passive resistance. However, at that point, officers were expected to prioritize de-escalation. Officer Alice M. Tokpah’s decision to forcibly remove a child without seeking alternative means was deemed inappropriate and showed disregard for the child’s safety. The removal of Madam Bah’s head covering, or hijab, was unnecessary and unjustified. Furthermore, officers and LEC personnel failed to accommodate Madam Bah’s language barrier, making no effort to communicate through her husband or a translator, which could have prevented escalation. The police report noted.
Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai has expressed regret over the incident and ordered an independent investigation to ensure accountability and transparency. A Liberian diplomatic delegation, led by Ambassador-at-Large Sheikh Al-Moustapha Kouyate and Liberia’s Ambassador to Guinea, H.E. Forkpa Gizzie, met with Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to convey President Boakai’s concern and reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to strong diplomatic ties with Guinea.
The Guinean government rejected Liberia’s apology for the incident and demanded accountability and transparency in the investigation. Guinea’s Foreign Minister Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté expressed serious concern over the matter, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in the investigation. Dr. Kouyaté has requested that the results of the investigation be shared transparently and without delay. He also mentioned that his country is deeply disturbed by the viral video that emerged, showing Zainab being raped by members of the Liberian police, an allegation that the LNP has repeatedly denied.
The incident has strained relations between Liberia and Guinea, with both countries having a complex history of coups and civil wars. The outcome of the investigation and the response of the Liberian government will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of the relationship between the two countries. In November 2024, Liberia and Guinea were on the brink of war after a Guinean national, Abraham Khalil Cherif, was arrested in Liberia and extradited to Guinea without due process. Cherif is accused of recruiting former Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels to overthrow the Guinean government. The Guinean government sent a team of commandos to Liberia to retrieve Cherif, sparking tensions between the two countries.