Twenty-nine Sierra Leonean migrants from the northern part of the country have been arrested by local community members after allegedly crossing into Liberia through the Mano River near Bo Waterside without required authorization.
According to local reports, the group was travelling by boat across the river in search of artisanal mining opportunities in Liberia.
The migrants are currently being held at the Jendema Police Station while Liberian authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding their arrest and entry. Their identities and specific towns of origin have not yet been officially confirmed.
Following the incident, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Liberia, Eddie S. Mansally, reportedly convened an emergency stakeholder meeting in Jendema to address the situation and engage Liberian authorities on the welfare of the Sierra Leoneans.
The incident, which happened at one of the busiest informal crossing points between the two countries, has raised fresh concerns about border monitoring and irregular migration along the Sierra Leone-Liberia border.
Bo Waterside-Jendema is the main official border crossing between Sierra Leone and Liberia, connecting Pujehun District in Sierra Leone’s south and Grand Cape Mount County in Liberia. However, the Mano River Union area has many informal river crossings used daily by traders, farmers and, increasingly, young people seeking economic opportunities.
Reports say the arrested group originated from northern Sierra Leone – a region that has seen a rise in youth migration driven by limited employment, hardship in artisanal mining communities at home, and rumours of lucrative gold and diamond finds in southeastern Liberia.
Liberia, like Sierra Leone, has seen a boom in artisanal gold mining in Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Lofa counties, attracting miners from across the Mano River Union. But Liberian law requires foreign nationals to obtain residence and mining authorizations before engaging in mining activities.
Sierra Leonean authorities have repeatedly warned citizens against illegal crossing and unauthorized mining abroad, citing risks of arrest, exploitation and human trafficking.
The Sierra Leone Embassy in Monrovia has not yet issued an official statement, but sources say engagement is ongoing to ensure due process and to verify the identities of those held.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
