MONROVIA / FREETOWN – The Mano River Union (MRU) has issued a second, firm clarification distancing itself from the funding and execution of a governmental construction project in Foya, Lofa County, Liberia, following renewed public misrepresentations by Liberian officials.
In the first official statement dated September 29, 2025, the MRU Secretariat stated unequivocally that the institution “is not funding, and has not funded,” the project referred to as the “Mano River Union Center for Regional Peace and Development” or a presidential palace. The regional body expressed being “deeply concerned by the repeated and incorrect alignment” of the project to the MRU by senior Liberian government officials.
The MRU acknowledged it was initially relieved when the Government of Liberia clarified that the Foya project was a nationally funded initiative. However, the Secretariat stated that a “subsequent shift in public narrative” has compelled it to reaffirm its position publicly. “The Mano River Union has not committed, and is not considering committing, any financial resources to this project,” the statement read.
This latest clarification follows contradictory statements from Liberian authorities. Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando, in a detailed social media post, described the project as a “Government of Liberia initiative” named for the MRU, estimated at $6.1 million and financed by a mix of national, regional, global, and private contributions. Conversely, President Joseph Boakai, while asserting the project was not for his personal benefit, directly told journalists, “The project will be funded under the Mano River Union,” and later specified, “It will be funded by the Mano River Union countries.”
MRU Reaffirms Core Mission
Contacted for comment, MRU Secretary General Ambassador Simeon Moribah reinforced the Union’s position. “Constructing presidential palaces or dedicated national facilities is not within our mandate or agenda,” said Amb. Moribah. “Our focus, as always, is on transboundary projects and programs that directly promote economic integration, collective security, and improve the lives of all citizens within our member states.” The MRU, established in 1973, comprises Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. Its core objectives are fostering economic cooperation, ensuring regional peace and stability, and enhancing socio-cultural development.
Project Details and Government’s Rationale
According to Deputy Minister Sando’s account, the Foya project is a strategic asset featuring a 500-seat conference hall and nine secure accommodation units on 7 acres of land. It is intended to host high-level regional and international gatherings on mediation, conflict resolution, and economic integration.
The government cites Liberia’s historic role in the basin, its current seat on the UN Security Council, and Foya’s geographic position at the border junction of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea as key justifications for the facility’s location and purpose. President Boakai emphasized the project’s regional peacebuilding intent and denied any personal ownership or initial approval, stating, “It started without my knowledge.”
The Mano River Union has urged the public and media to disregard any information linking its finances or institutional commitment to the Foya project. The repeated need for clarification highlights a significant disconnect between the Liberian government’s public messaging and the official stance of the regional body it belongs to. The Secretariat reiterated its commitment to working with all member states on genuine, collective regional initiatives.