An official of the Government of Liberia has linked the recent border tensions between Liberia and Guinea to the Fula National Security of Liberia. The Deputy Director for Administration at the National Food Assistance Agency of Liberia, Bob Yeenuah Karto, said he was reliably informed that Guinea’s recent military move along the Liberian border is linked to the so-called National Fula Security of Liberia, which he believes is aimed at destabilizing the government of Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power through a military coup d’état and was later elected through a democratic process.
According to him, the move by the Guinean soldiers was aimed at establishing a military buffer zone influenced by much-publicized reports concerning a self-styled Fula National Security of Liberia (FNSL).
He emphasized the underlying ethnic and political sensitivities, particularly involving tensions between the Fula and Mandingo communities in Guinea. In light of regional history, including the conviction of former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor for supporting insurgency in Sierra Leone, it is noted that this could be a regrouping by the Fula community in neighboring states. This indicates that the deployment of heavy military troops is meant to heighten security concerns, especially from a leader who assumed power through a military takeover.
Karto alleged that certain influential political actors within Liberia, particularly from the Mandingo community, may be attempting to exploit the situation for narrow political gain by advocating for a forceful response from His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, rather than prioritizing diplomatic channels.
On February 16, 2026, Liberians noticed a video circulating online that featured people dressed in military suits, causing diverse interpretations. The Fula community issued a statement in which they described the security group as an initiative linked to the National Fula Security of Liberia (NFSL), a community-based organization intended to protect their businesses and surrounding neighborhoods amid growing concerns about petty crimes. They described reports suggesting militia activity as misleading and unnecessarily alarming.
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said they have not given any authorization or permit to the “National Fula Security of Liberia” (NFSL). They emphasized that no such entity has been legally established or recognized by the government, and any activities associated with NFSL are considered illegal. In a Facebook post, the Presidential Press Secretary, Kula Fofana, described the group as a normal usher in churches.
