Mano River ministers discuss security

Security ministers from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea on Monday discussed security matters and other issues of "mutual interest", Sierra Leone Presidential Spokesman Septimus Kaikai told IRIN on Tuesday. He said the meeting, held in Freetown, was a follow up to talks the heads of state of the three countries held in Bamako, Mali, in early March, followed by discussions between their foreign ministers on 18 March in Monrovia, Liberia. "The three countries have had some bad internal experiences in the past, characterised by accusations and counter-accusations of one country supporting or harbouring the others' rebels," Kaikai explained. He said these problems interfered with the union between the three countries,"but now the countries are coming together to discuss matters of mutual interest, strengthen the union and to ensure security". Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are linked in an all-but-defunct body called the Mano Union, set up to promote cooperation and integration between them.