By Amara Alpha, Outreach Officer – Ministry of Information and Civic Education Kenema, Eastern Region
Kailahun District, 3rd May 2025 – A high-powered delegation of government officials and regional stakeholders on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, visited Koindu Town in Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Kailahun District, to engage with local authorities and residents over the long-standing border dispute concerning Yenga, a territory claimed by both Sierra Leone and Guinea.
The visit was prompted by rising tensions between the youth of Koindu and the Guinean Armed Forces following the displacement of Sierra Leonean citizens from Yenga. The delegation included the Minister and Deputy Ministers of Internal Affairs and Defense, senior officials from the Office of National Security (ONS), representatives from the Sierra Leone Armed Forces and Police, the Mano River Union Peace and Security Directorate, the Government of Liberia, and the Paramount Chiefs of Nongoa and Kissi Teng Chiefdoms.
In his welcoming statement, Paramount Chief of Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Chief Ganawa, expressed deep appreciation for the visit, stating that it was a significant step toward resolving the Yenga crisis. He thanked his counterpart, the Paramount Chief of Nongoa, and the government officials for their commitment and urged that the issue be resolved peacefully. “With the presence of these high-level authorities, I believe that the problem of Yenga will finally come to an end by the grace of God,” he said.
The Minister of State, Hon. Gbessay Jusu Jaka Ngobeh, appealed to the aggrieved youth of Kissi Teng Chiefdom to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands. He emphasized that the Government of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, is committed to addressing the Yenga situation through diplomatic channels.
“This is a deeply rooted issue inherited by President Bio. It began under the leadership of the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, and unfortunately remained unresolved during the tenure of former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. However, I assure you that President Bio is committed to ending this crisis and restoring peace, unity, and tranquility to this region,” he said.
Hon. Ngobeh further pointed out that the presence of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces in Yenga is a testament to the President’s commitment to protecting his people and upholding national sovereignty.
Speaking on behalf of the youth, Mr. John Tamba Focko called for clarity and resolution. “Within a reasonable time, we, the people of this Kissidom, want to know definitively, does Yenga belong to Guinea or Sierra Leone?” he asked.
Paramount Chief of Nongoa, Chief Tamba G. Bongono, recounted his intervention in stopping the construction of a structure by Guinean forces in the disputed area. He emphasized the cultural and familial ties between the two nations and called on their respective Heads of State to resolve the issue amicably.
“We are brothers and sisters who share common interests. Let the armed forces from both countries withdraw from Yenga so civilians can return to peaceful coexistence,” he urged. He also proposed the revival of annual meetings under the Mano River Union framework to foster regional unity and dialogue.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the Mano River Union for Peace and Security, Madam Ange Konan Mono, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that peace is a prerequisite for development. “This longstanding issue must become a thing of the past to ensure lasting peace in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire,” she noted.
Hon. B. Njamilah S. Bornguoi, representative of the Government of Liberia, also expressed support for a peaceful resolution and reaffirmed Liberia’s solidarity with the people of Sierra Leone.
In his concluding remarks, the head of the delegation and Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Morie Lengor, speaking on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to seek a diplomatic solution to the Yenga dispute. Drawing parallels with the peaceful resolution of the Bakassi Peninsula conflict between Nigeria and Cameroon, he stressed that Sierra Leone would follow a similar path.
“We do not want to return to the dark days of conflict in our country. Those displaced should return to their communities. Their safety is assured by the presence of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, who will remain in place to maintain peace and security,” he said.
He urged the youth to exercise restraint and report any abnormal activities to the relevant security institutions, assuring them of the government’s continued engagement on the matter.
The Deputy Minister of Defense, the head of ONS, and the Chairman of Kailahun District Council also made meaningful contributions during the visit. The occasion was climaxed by the presentation of transportation fare and mosquito bed nets to displaced citizens, symbolizing the government’s support and concern for their well-being.
