Guinea has officially reopened its borders with Liberia following the successful conclusion of its Presidential Election on December 28, 2025, marking a significant step toward normalizing cross-border trade and movement in the region. Guinean authorities shut down their side of the border on December 27, 2025. The closure was a precautionary measure to prevent potential unrest and ensure voters’ security amid heightened political tensions. Liberia responded with the deployment of a robust joint security operations along key border points, including Ganta in Nimba County, one of the busiest crossings in West Africa.
Liberian forces, comprising the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), Liberia National Police(LNP), Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and other agencies, maintained a vigilant presence throughout the period. "Our mandate was clear: safeguard Liberia's sovereignty and prevent any spillover from Guinea's electoral process," said a joint security officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. Armed patrols, checkpoints and surveillance drones were stationed all over at various border points with no major incidents reported on the Liberian side. ‘‘The election was a triumph of democracy and reopening the border underscores our commitment to regional stability. This border management prevented potential chaos and protected economic lifelines," the security officer added.
Meanwhile, Guinea’s military ruler, General Mamady Doumbouya, has since been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election by a landslide, securing 86.7 percent of the vote, according to provisional results released by the national election commission. General Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup that ousted then-President Alpha Condé, is seeking to legitimize his rule through the ballot after his transitional government was condemned by regional bodies including the African Union and ECOWAS. But the poll has been widely criticized by opposition figures and civil society groups. A coalition advocating a return to civilian rule dismissed the election as a “charade,” arguing that key opposition candidates were barred from contesting and that the process was riddled with irregularities, according to the BBC.
Provisional results show Abdoulaye Yero Baldé of the Democratic Front of Guinea finishing a distant second with 6.6 percent, followed by Faya Lansana Millimono of the Liberal Bloc with 2 percent. Six of the remaining eight candidates garnered less than two percent each, with Mohamed Nabé receiving just 0.8 percent. The election was further marred by controversy over alleged restrictions on internet access. On Monday, internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported disruptions to social media platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook as Guineans awaited the full results. While authorities have offered no official explanation, opponents say the move was aimed at suppressing criticism.
Millimono accused the authorities of “systematic fraudulent practices,” citing the expulsion of poll observers, ballot stuffing, and voter intimidation. The ruling party and government have not responded to the allegations. Election Commission Chair Djenabou Touré announced voter turnout at more than 80 percent, a claim sharply disputed by the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution, which said a majority of Guineans boycotted what it described as an “electoral charade.” Doumbouya’s victory grants him a seven-year mandate, subject to validation by the Supreme Court within eight days if the results are contested.
After toppling Condé in 2021, Doumbouya had pledged not to contest future elections or extend the military transition. “Neither I nor any member of this transition will be a candidate for anything,” he said at the time. That pledge was later reversed after a new constitution adopted in September cleared the way for his candidacy. While popular among segments of Guinea’s youth, Doumbouya has faced growing criticisms for restricting opposition activities, banning protests, and curbing press freedom ahead of the vote—charges similar to those he levelled against Condé to justify the coup. Guinea is home to the world’s largest bauxite reserves and vast iron-ore deposits. Yet despite its mineral wealth, more than half of the population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank.
