By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Government of Sierra Leone has once again reaffirmed its sovereign claim over Yenga, a border town long at the center of a territorial dispute with neighboring Guinea. The declaration was made by the Minister of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), Chernor Bah, during an interview on the popular Good Morning Salone program on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, on Wednesday, 15 May 2025.
Speaking during the broadcast, Minister Bah stated unequivocally that “Yenga belongs to Sierra Leone” and assured the public that the government is taking all necessary diplomatic and legal steps to ensure that the area is accessible and protected for all Sierra Leoneans.
“Yenga is part of Sierra Leone, and this government is committed to ensuring that it remains so, free and safe for our people.” Minister C. Bah stated.
He further noted that the situation is being addressed at both regional and international levels. According to him, the Government of Sierra Leone has already submitted detailed reports to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), urging both organizations to take necessary actions in line with their mandate to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.
“These are institutions built on the principles of cooperation and mutual respect for borders,” he added. “We expect that our fellow African partners will support our call for justice and peace.”
In a related diplomatic move, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has taken concrete steps to internationalize Sierra Leone’s position. He has instructed the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, to formally brief the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council on the issue.
The briefing will present Sierra Leone’s legal and historical claim to Yenga and request the UN’s support in ensuring a peaceful resolution based on international law and respect for sovereignty.
The dispute over Yenga dates back to the early 2000s, when Guinean troops occupied the town during the height of Sierra Leone’s civil conflict. Despite multiple diplomatic efforts and bilateral talks in the years since, the situation has remained unresolved, with periodic tensions resurfacing between both countries.
The government’s latest statements come amidst renewed public concern and calls for stronger action to reclaim the territory. Civil society groups and local residents have often complained about limited access to Yenga and the impact of the unresolved dispute on cross-border trade, security, and community life.
Minister Bah concluded his remarks by encouraging calm and assuring the public of government’s commitment to peaceful diplomacy, while also standing firm on Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity.
“We are engaging through the right channels—regionally and globally—but we will not compromise our land. Yenga is, and will remain, Sierra Leonean,” he said.
