By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Chief of Army Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Major General Kemoh Sesay, has commended Sierra Leonean troops for their professionalism, discipline and restraint during a recent border incident involving Guinean security forces in Falaba District.
Major General Kemoh Sesay made the remarks during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Weekly Press Briefing held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown. The Press Conference followed the safe release of sixteen Sierra Leonean security personnel who had earlier been arrested by Guinean forces during a disagreement along the Sierra Leone–Guinea border.
Providing a detailed account of the incident, the Army Chief explained that the Sierra Leonean personnel had been preparing to erect a temporary structure on land reportedly allocated to them by a Paramount Chief on the Sierra Leonean side of the border.
However, during the process, approximately ten Guinean soldiers, accompanied by a Guinean Paramount Chief from a nearby community, reportedly approached the location and halted the construction, claiming that the land in question fell within Guinean territory.
According to Major General Kemoh Sesay, the situation escalated when the Guinean soldiers later returned with a significantly larger contingent of armed personnel, estimated at more than 300 troops. Faced with overwhelming numbers, the sixteen Sierra Leonean security personnel on the ground were subsequently arrested by the Guinean forces.
Despite the tense situation, the Army Chief praised the conduct of the Sierra Leonean commanding officer and his troops, stating that their calm and measured response helped prevent the incident from escalating into a potentially serious military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.
“The officer made a battle appreciation,” Major General Kemoh Sesay explained. “He understood that even if shots were fired and lives were lost, the situation could easily escalate into a full-scale conflict between two sister nations.”
He said the commanding officer carefully assessed the situation on the ground and made the decision to prioritize de-escalation rather than engage in armed confrontation. According to him, the troops complied peacefully when surrounded and asked to surrender their weapons, thereby avoiding unnecessary bloodshed.
Major General Kemoh Sesay stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as weakness but rather as a demonstration of discipline, patriotism and a strong commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
“It takes courage and professionalism for soldiers to choose restraint in such circumstances,” he said. “Our troops showed maturity and discipline in handling the situation.”
He further confirmed that all sixteen Sierra Leonean security personnel have since been safely released and returned to Sierra Leone. Their weapons, he added, were also returned intact by the Guinean authorities.
While addressing broader issues relating to the Sierra Leone–Guinea boundary, the Major General called for a comprehensive joint border survey involving both countries in order to resolve long-standing boundary uncertainties.
He disclosed that the proposed survey would cover the entire Sierra Leone–Guinea boundary, stretching across districts including Kambia, Koinadugu, Falaba, Kono and Kailahun.
The Army Chief suggested that neutral regional and international organisations such as the Mano River Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union could be involved in the process to ensure transparency and mutual agreement.
According to him, once a comprehensive and officially recognized joint boundary survey is conducted, recurring border disputes between the two countries are expected to be conclusively addressed.
Major General Kemoh Sesay concluded by reaffirming the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity while maintaining peaceful diplomatic relations with neighbouring Guinea.
He also commended the captain and troops involved in the incident for their professionalism and composure, noting that their actions helped preserve peace between the two nations while protecting Sierra Leone’s national interests.
