—As calls Echoe for axing
IPNEWS: Francis Sakila Nyumalin, the Liberian Minister of Internal Affairs and Local Government-designate, has become central to a major diplomatic and security dispute involving mining and construction activities by BK Enterprise in Lofa County.
On March 2, 2026, armed Guinean soldiers crossed into the Sorlumba border area in Foya District, Lofa County. They confronted workers from BK Enterprise, a firm contracted for road construction, and confiscated heavy machinery including bulldozers and sand-dredging equipment.
Guinean authorities alleged that BK Enterprise was illegally extracting sand and potentially minerals like gold or diamonds from the Makona River, which they claim is Guinean territory.
After the seizure, Guinean troops reportedly advanced further into Liberian territory, removed the Liberian flag, and raised the Guinean flag. This led to a standoff where local Liberian youths retaliated by re-hoisting the Liberian flag.
Minister Nyumalin’s Role and Allegations
Minister Nyumalin led high-level Liberian delegations to negotiate with Guinean officials at the Sorlumba Port of Entry to secure the release of the equipment and de-escalate tensions.
Amid Diplomatic engagement to de-escalate the tension, former Monrovia Mayor Jefferson Koijee, who also hailed from Lofa County, publicly accused Minister Nyumalin of being the actual owner of the dredging equipment involved in the “illicit mining”.
Koijee further alleged that the Minister used an armed militia to protect these illegal operations, though these claims remain highly controversial and are part of broader political friction.
While some equipment was released following discussions, Guinean officials ordered a temporary halt to all mining activities pending an official assessment. The situation has prompted emergency meetings between President Joseph Boakai and regional leaders from Guinea and Sierra Leone to address sovereignty and resource disputes.
However, in response to the allegations involving B.K. Enterprise Inc. and the resulting tensions on the Liberia-Guinea border, Internal Affairs Minister
Francis Sakila Nyumalin Sr. has primarily adopted a “no comment” stance regarding personal accusations while focusing his official efforts on diplomatic de-escalation.
When contacted by reporters regarding specific claims made by opposition leader Jefferson Koijee—who accused him of owning the equipment involved in illicit mining—Minister Nyumalin declined to respond directly, stating, “Tell Jefferson Koijee I say no comment”.
During bilateral meetings with Guinean officials, Nyumalin clarified that the seized dredging machines were not intended for mining gold or diamonds. He explained they were being used to facilitate sand extraction for local road and street-pavement development projects in Foya and Vahun during the rainy season.
Nyumalin led a high-level Liberian delegation to the Sorlumba Port of Entry on March 8, 2026, to meet with Guinean counterparts. He appealed for the return of confiscated equipment and reached an agreement to relocate the Liberian flag from the riverside to ease territorial tensions.
The controversy stems from an incident in early March 2026, where Guinean soldiers crossed into the Sorlumba area, halted sand-mining operations by B.K. Enterprise, and seized their machinery.
