ECOWAS Moves to End Sierra Leone–Guinea Border Standoff

A twelve-man delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has arrived in Sierra Leone on a fact-finding mission to assess the long-standing dispute over the border village of Yenga, located in Kailahun District.

On Tuesday, 26th August 2025, the delegation, led by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Ambassador John Azumah, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel (Rtd) Muana Brima Massaquoi. Ambassador Azumah explained that the team’s task is

“purely technical and impartial,” aimed at gathering accurate information on the disputed area between Sierra Leone and Guinea.

He added that the mission would meet with key stakeholders and visit Yenga itself to obtain first-hand facts that could inform recommendations for a peaceful resolution.

“At the end of this exercise, we will proffer recommendations that will go a long way in resolving the dispute and bringing lasting peace to both neighbors,” Ambassador Azumah stated.

Deputy Minister Massaquoi welcomed the delegation, commending ECOWAS for its swift intervention. He stressed Sierra Leone’s commitment to a diplomatic solution, noting that

“Sierra Leone and Guinea are the same country despite the imaginary boundary. Taking a different approach will cause a serious humanitarian crisis for the people of both countries.”

The Acting Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Kemoh Tewoh Sesay, provided historical context, explaining that Yenga has long been recognized as part of Sierra Leone. He recalled Guinea’s initial deployment of troops to the village in 1998 during the civil war to help repel the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), but noted that Guinea maintained control of the area even after the war officially ended in 2002.

Despite several bilateral agreements, including a 2002 pact, a 2005 reaffirmation, and a 2012 Joint Declaration for the demilitarization of Yenga, the village has remained under Guinean control. Tensions escalated again in April this year when Guinean troops attempted to annex two other villages, Sokoma and Pengubengu, leading to a standoff with Sierra Leone’s armed forces. The incident displaced hundreds of villagers, prompting President Julius Maada Bio to provide humanitarian assistance while engaging Guinea in high-level diplomatic talks.

President Bio’s recent election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has heightened regional efforts to resolve the matter. Earlier this month, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray assured him that an assessment mission would be deployed to both Sierra Leone and Guinea to help chart the way forward.

The ECOWAS delegation, which arrived in Freetown on Monday, 25th August 2025, has already engaged several government institutions, including the Office of National Security and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Internal Affairs, and Planning and Economic Development.

This morning, the team departed Freetown for Yenga to continue its fact-finding work. It is also scheduled to undertake a similar mission to Guinea in the coming weeks.