LIBERIA: RELATIONS WITH SIERRA LEONE INCREASINGLY WARM

UNCLAS MONROVIA 001139 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SL LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA: RELATIONS WITH SIERRA LEONE INCREASINGLY WARM ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma used the opportunity of his first official visit to Liberia to strengthen ties between the neighboring democracies. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On his first foreign trip since taking office, Sierra Leone's newly-elected President Ernest Bai Koroma made a quick visit to Liberia September 21 as part of his initiative to foster cooperation among the Mano River Union and ECOWAS community. Media report that during his meeting with Liberian President Sirleaf he vowed to strengthen border patrols and work with international organizations to control the illegal movement of weapons in the region. President Koroma, who was expected to fly to Burkina Faso, arrived in Liberia two hours behind schedule and departed Robertsfield just before dusk on board the Presidential plane provided by Burkina Faso. ¶3. (U) The two presidents signed a joint statement pledging to support peace and strengthen bilateral ties, foster trade, and work to support peace through the promotion of good governance and democracy. Both Presidents agreed that they will not allow their countries to be used by dissidents to attack the other, nor will they facilitate safehaven for dissidents. The presidents agreed the ultimate goal of a continent-wide African Government will have to be pursued incrementally through sub-regional economic groupings. President Sirleaf accepted President Koroma's invitation to pay a reciprocal visit, but no date has been set. ¶4. (U) The visit was President Koroma's first abroad since his assumed office and indicates that Sierra Leone's relations with Liberia are reaching a new level. There is an expectation that relations between Liberia and Sierra Leone will become warmer with the election of President Koroma. Koroma reportedly visited Liberia several times during his campaign to raise funds from members of the Sierra Leonean community. ¶5. (SBU) A staffing change is likely at Sierra Leone's embassy in Monrovia as the current ambassador and his team are members of former President Kabba's Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). Sources at the Sierra Leone Embassy say Liberia-Sierra Leone relations have warmed to the best level in several decades. Repairing Close Historical Ties -------------- ¶6. (U) Sierra Leone established an Embassy in Monrovia in 1961, after gaining independence from Great Britain. Formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union (MRU) in May 1975 further enhanced relations. On November 12, 1985, Liberian dissidents led by former army general Thomas Quiwonkpa invaded Liberia from Sierra Leone and briefly seized control of Monrovia. In response to the invasion, President Samuel Doe temporarily closed the border with Sierra Leone and relations between the two countries remained strained until Doe's death in 1990. The Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) in 1990 marked an improvement in bilateral relations but Sierra Leone soon became a haven for Liberians opposed to Charles Taylor in the 1990s. Attacks by Liberian dissident groups based in Sierra Leone led to a further deterioration in relations. Taylor's ascent to power in 1997 and formation of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) further exacerbated tensions resulting in the official closure of the border and the cessation of legal trade and commerce. Official bilateral relations resumed only after 2003 and there has been constant improvement since President Sirleaf's inauguration in 2006. BOOTH