By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
The Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Activists – Sierra Leone (CCSHRA-SL) has issued a strong call for immediate national and international action over what it described as the “illegal occupation” of Yenga by Guinean troops.
Speaking during a Press Conference held at the Coalition office on Fort Street, Freetown, CCSHRA Chairman, Charles Mambu, expressed deep concern over the continued presence of Guinean forces in Sierra Leonean territory, warning that the issue has become a ticking time bomb.
He said the Coalition is saddened that, despite multiple diplomatic efforts and negotiations since 2004, Guinean troops continue to harass locals and consolidate their position in Yenga, a town within Sierra Leone’s eastern border district of Kailahun.
The Yenga crisis began during the civil conflict years when Guinean troops entered Sierra Leone to assist in fighting rebel groups. Although the conflict ended long ago, Guinean forces never fully withdrew. The Coalition has been actively campaigning for the town’s return through its Free Yenga Campaign, yet the situation remains unresolved and has recently taken a more provocative turn with the construction of a Guinean military barracks in the area between 2019 and 2022.
It was revealed that at an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council on May 2, 2025, the Coalition unanimously condemned the occupation, stating that the Guinean Government’s actions reflect a growing disregard for Sierra Leone’s sovereignty. The CCSHRA blamed the inaction of Sierra Leone’s Government, the local populace and international actors for allowing Guinea to entrench its position in Yenga. The Coalition urged the Government of Sierra Leone to begin implementing peaceful, yet firm and decisive measures to force Guinean troops to withdraw. They also emphasized the importance of avoiding armed conflict, instead calling for lawful and diplomatic responses supported by international pressure.
The Coalition further called on the Government to recognize the Yenga issue not as a local problem affecting only Kailahun District but as a national and international crisis with the potential to destabilize peace and development across the country. They stressed the need for immediate life-support assistance for displaced persons and those living in fear in the Yenga area, especially women, children and other vulnerable groups.
The Coalition also called for the dissolution of the Mano River Union (MRU), arguing that the regional body has failed to act meaningfully to resolve the crisis. They also urged the Sierra Leone Government to take the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) without further delay.
Commending the restraint and professionalism of the Sierra Leone Army and Police in the face of harassment by Guinean forces, the Coalition called on the Government to begin construction of its own military barracks in the area to reassert national authority.
Finally, the Coalition appealed to international partners, especially the United Nations, to intervene now and prevent the situation from escalating, stating that “prevention is better than cure.” They reiterated their long-standing warning that Yenga, Kailahun District and by extension Sierra Leone are sitting on a time bomb.
Chairman Charles Mambu concluded by making it clear that the actions of Guinean forces in Yenga are fully sanctioned by their central Government. “No armed forces cross an international border without the approval of its high command,” he emphasized. His final message was a rallying cry to Sierra Leone’s leadership and citizens: “Time to free Yenga is now. Lion Mountain should wake up from its sleep and take the right action.”
