In a bold and coordinated show of national resolve, a high-powered ministerial and security delegation from the Government of Sierra Leone has visited Koindu Town in Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Kailahun District, following renewed tensions relating to the longstanding border dispute in Yenga. The visit underscores President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to defending Sierra Leone’s sovereignty while actively pursuing a diplomatic solution to one of the most enduring territorial issues in the Mano River sub region.
The high-level mission, which took place on Saturday, 3 May 2025, came in the wake of alarming reports of increased Guinean Armed Forces (GAF) activity in contested areas such as Yenga, Sokoma, Paegobengu and the Makona River axis. Residents have been subjected to intimidation, harassment and even the firing of warning shots by foreign troops, leading to panic and the displacement of dozens of civilians into Koindu. The situation has disrupted farming, blocked trade routes and sparked rising fears among local youth, many of whom feel increasingly alienated and uncertain about their future.
Leading the delegation was Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor, accompanied by National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker, Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Colonel Retired Muana Brima Massaquoi, Minister of State (East), Hon. Gbessay Jusu Jaka Ngobeh and senior representatives from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Office of National Security (ONS). The delegation also included officials from the Mano River Union (MRU), local Paramount Chiefs and a special envoy from the Government of Liberia, demonstrating the regional significance of the crisis.
Addressing a large crowd of residents and traditional authorities in Koindu, Rtd. AIG Morie Lengor conveyed a strong message of solidarity from President Bio, assuring citizens of the Government’s unwavering resolve to protect lives, property and territorial integrity. He emphasized that Sierra Leone has consistently opted for peaceful dialogue over conflict and pointed to the resolution of the Bakassi Peninsula dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon as a diplomatic precedent worth emulating.
While acknowledging the historical complexity of the Yenga issue, the Minister expressed regret that the situation had reached a point where external forces were causing distress to Sierra Leonean citizens. He reaffirmed that every diplomatic channel was being explored to reach a peaceful and lasting settlement and called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperative with security forces stationed in the area.
In a passionate plea for calm, Hon. Ngobeh reminded the audience that the Yenga dispute is not new and has spanned multiple administrations. “From President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah to President Ernest Bai Koroma, this issue has lingered unresolved. However, President Bio has made it clear that under his leadership, it must be resolved; with peace, dignity and the law as our guide,” he stated.
Amidst the formal proceedings, youth leader John Tamba Focko voiced growing frustrations within the community. “We need a clear answer. Does Yenga belong to Sierra Leone or Guinea? Our people are suffering, our youth are idle and our land is under threat,” he said, prompting applause from a visibly emotional crowd. His call captured the urgency and anxiety that continue to grip the local population.
Traditional leaders echoed the call for diplomacy. Paramount Chief Ganawa of Kissi Teng expressed gratitude for the delegation’s visit and urged for lasting solutions, while his counterpart from Nongoa Chiefdom in Guinea, Chief Tamba Bongono, acknowledged the suffering caused on both sides of the border. He proposed a mutual demilitarization of the area and stressed the need to restore the cross-border cultural and economic bonds that have historically united the two communities.
The MRU’s Deputy Secretary-General for Peace and Security, Madam Ange Konan Mono, also addressed the gathering, calling for renewed commitment to peace and cooperation across the sub region. She underscored the importance of de-escalation and proposed the immediate reactivation of MRU-led joint border confidence-building mechanisms. Representing the Government of Liberia, Hon. B. Njamilah S. Bornguoi extended solidarity to the people of Sierra Leone and pledged Liberia’s full support in all diplomatic engagements.
National Security Coordinator, Abdulai Caulker, proposed the convening of a special Mano River Union summit to address the matter at the highest level. He reiterated that while Sierra Leone continues to prioritize dialogue and cooperation, the country reserves the right to defend its people and borders should provocation persist.
As a humanitarian gesture, the Government delegation distributed mosquito nets and transportation stipends to displaced residents now sheltering in Koindu, signaling both care and urgency in addressing the unfolding crisis. Security officials assured the public of the continued presence of RSLAF and SLP personnel to deter further encroachment and maintain law and order.
Key recommendations arising from the visit included immediate high-level briefings to the Presidents of Sierra Leone and Guinea, the sustained deployment of joint security personnel and the urgent launch of confidence-building and trade resilience initiatives in affected communities. The Ministry of Trade and Industry was also tasked with exploring mechanisms to restore local commerce through the establishment of trade support centers in Koindu.
The Government has urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative as the situation evolves. It has been noted that President Bio’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, unity and the sovereign dignity of Sierra Leone, with assurances that the people of Yenga and surrounding communities will not be forgotten nor left unprotected.
