The Mano River Union (MRU) is a customs union established in 1973 between Liberia and Sierra Leone. Guinea joined the union in 1980. Ivory Coast is the newest member of the MRU. The goal of the Union was to foster economic cooperation among the three countries. Its name is derived from the Mano River, which starts in Guinea and forms a border between Liberia and Sierra Leone. Presidents Siaka Stevens of Sierra Leone and William Tolbert of Liberia signed the declaration of the Mano River Union. The union ‘s major aim of was to increase economic and social transaction in the Mano River basin and in neighboring African countries. However, most of the union’s activities were limited by more than a decade of civil wars in the region. It has made several unfruitful attempts at establishing institutions similar to the European Union. The Jeneba Project believes that interactions among youths of the Mano River Union countries on an educational platform could produce energetic support for the future of the union and lasting peace. Apart from those who were involved in regional commerce and those who had family across borders, the civil wars in the region were the first means of contact among the people of the Mano River Union. We aim to improve relations among young people in the region by bringing them together for educational and social activities. There still exist various issues of conflict among the three countries such as confusion concerning border demarcations and free movement across borders. Our aim is to improve future ties by establishing a forum of interaction for the next generation of leaders of the region. |
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