By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has on Friday February 27, 2026.credited Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for what he described as a decisive diplomatic intervention that secured the release of 16 Sierra Leonean security personnel detained in Guinea amid recent border tensions.
The officers were arrested on 22 February 2026 in the Koudaya district of Guinea’s Faranah Region following disagreements over the long-disputed Sierra Leone–Guinea boundary. Guinean authorities alleged that the troops had crossed into their territory. However, the Government of Sierra Leone maintained that the personnel were operating within Kalieyereh in Falaba District, where they were engaged in the construction of a border post when Guinean forces reportedly crossed the frontier and detained them.
The incident revived sensitivities surrounding a decades-old boundary dispute rooted in colonial-era demarcations. Despite the heightened tension, the Government of Sierra Leone opted for diplomatic engagement rather than military escalation.
At the time of the incident, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh was acting as Commander-in-Chief in the absence of President Julius Maada Bio, who is currently serving as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. The Vice President swiftly constituted and mandated a high-level delegation to travel to Conakry to engage Guinean authorities on the matter.
Minister Timothy Kabba led the delegation and held discussions with Guinean Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah. According to official sources, the talks were described as firm, candid and constructive, ultimately leading to the safe release and handover of the detained personnel on Friday, 27 February 2026.
Speaking at a dinner reception hosted at the Vice President’s Lodge in Freetown to welcome the returning officers, Minister Timothy Kabba commended the Vice President’s leadership and strategic direction.
“When the incident occurred, you demonstrated remarkable courage and clarity of purpose,” the Minister said. “Your instruction and guidance shaped our engagement in Conakry and contributed directly to this successful outcome.”
The 16 servicemen and women were received with dignity upon their return. Led by their commanding officer, they marched into the Lodge premises in full military uniform, maintaining discipline and composure. Government officials confirmed that all personnel were in stable condition.
In his remarks, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized the longstanding historical, cultural and familial ties between Sierra Leone and Guinea, noting that both nations share deep bonds that transcend borders.
“Guinea and Sierra Leone are two countries but one people,” he stated, underscoring the importance of dialogue, restraint and mutual respect in resolving cross-border misunderstandings.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, who attended the reception, described the officers’ return as a moment of national relief and unity. He noted that the Vice President extended a gesture of appreciation by inviting the officers to join him for their first dinner back home, symbolizing solidarity and recognition of their service.
Officials indicated that beyond securing the release of the personnel, the diplomatic engagement may provide renewed momentum for addressing the broader border demarcation concerns between the two neighbouring countries through structured bilateral dialogue.
In a related development, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh on Thursday received a courtesy call from the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Freetown during their 44th Ordinary Meeting. Discussions focused on evolving defence and security challenges confronting West Africa. During the engagement, the Vice President proposed the establishment of a Regional Defence Academy aimed at strengthening professional military training, cooperation and trust among ECOWAS member states.
On behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, the Vice President expressed appreciation to the regional defence chiefs for their continued commitment to safeguarding democracy, peace and stability across the sub-region.
The successful return of the 16 security personnel has been widely described by Government officials as a testament to Sierra Leone’s commitment to diplomacy, regional cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution, reinforcing the country’s preference for negotiation over confrontation in addressing sensitive cross-border issues.
