A high-level ECOWAS delegation visited the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) to brief officials on its recent assessment mission to Yenga, as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the long-standing border dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, warmly welcomed the delegation and underscored President Bio’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation, democracy, and peace.
She recalled that while the Mano River Union had previously engaged on the Yenga issue, it still requires a lasting resolution.
The Minister commended ECOWAS’s role in promoting peace and security across the region, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to diplomatic dialogue and regional integration.
Development Secretary, Ambrose James, acknowledged the delegation’s visit and assured MoPED’s cooperation in strengthening peace and governance.
He stressed the crucial role played by President Bio in advancing ECOWAS regional policies that foster resilience and stability among member states.
The delegation was led by Dr. Odigie Brown, Program Officer for Mediation at the ECOWAS Commission, alongside Mr. John Azumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative.Their mission focused on fact-finding and consultations to support a peaceful settlement of the Yenga dispute.
The Head of the Delegation, Dr. Odigie Brown emphasized on the need for impartiality, inclusivity, and independence in the assessment process.
Other key representatives included E. Mohamed Njie and Ebenezer Asiedu from ECOWAS’s Democracy and Good Governance Division, as well as Mrs. Ange M.C. Konan Muno from the Mano River Union. They all called for deeper collaboration and active participation to achieve the mission’s objectives.
The briefing involved senior officials from MoPED, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Lands, the Office of National Security (ONS), and security agencies.
Discussions provided historical, geographical, and economic perspectives on Yenga, with all parties emphasizing the importance of diplomatic dialogue and regional cooperation for a sustainable resolution.
