Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone is prepared to escalate its efforts to resolve the protracted Yenga border dispute with neighboring Guinea through international legal channels if ongoing domestic diplomatic avenues fail.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess Piagie Alghali, announced this development government during a press briefing in Freetown.
Minister Alghali conveyed the government’s deep concern over the Yenga situation, describing it as “a real pain in our hearts.” She highlighted reports that Guinean security forces stationed in the contested Yenga area have allegedly prevented Sierra Leonean citizens from engaging in farming and other essential agricultural activities, a situation that continues to fuel significant frustration and heighten tensions.
“We are not afraid, and we are strong enough to pursue this to the next level,” Minister Alghali asserted, underscoring the nation’s resolve. “Let me assure you: Sierra Leone will never resort to war. We believe in peaceful resolutions and will explore every legal and diplomatic remedy available, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), if necessary.”
The Deputy Minister emphasized the unwavering commitment of the government, under the leadership of Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Kabba, to pursuing dialogue and peaceful negotiations with their Guinean counterparts. However, she made it clear that if these diplomatic efforts do not yield a resolution, Sierra Leone is prepared to advance the matter through international legal mechanisms to seek a definitive settlement.
Adding his perspective, Charles Chernor Jalloh, Sierra Leone’s nominee to the International Court of Justice, voiced his dedication to addressing longstanding border disputes like Yenga should he be appointed to the ICJ. If his nomination is successful, Jalloh would become the second Sierra Leonean to serve on the ICJ bench.
“Matters involving African countries—especially longstanding disputes like Yenga—deserve fair, just, and internationally guided resolutions,” Jalloh stated, emphasizing the importance of international law in resolving such issues.
This firm but diplomatic stance from the Sierra Leonean government signals a potential escalation in its approach to resolving the decades-long Yenga border dispute. While prioritizing peaceful negotiations, the government is clearly indicating its readiness to leverage international legal frameworks to secure its territorial integrity.
This development follows recent progress in discussions between officials from Guinea and Sierra Leone, who on March 30, 2025, agreed to jointly produce boundary documents related to the Yenga area. This agreement, reached during a meeting of the Technical Committee of the Joint Boundary Commission in Kailahun, was seen as a positive step forward in addressing the territorial disagreement.
However, the latest statements from the Deputy Foreign Minister suggest that Sierra Leone is prepared to seek a more definitive resolution through international legal avenues if diplomatic progress stalls.
The Yenga border dispute centers on a village in Sierra Leone’s Kailahun District that Guinean forces have occupied since the Sierra Leonean civil war. Despite previous agreements recognizing Yenga as Sierra Leonean territory, the issue remains unresolved, with reports of intimidation of Sierra Leonean citizens in the area.
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