Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. A team from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is in Sierra Leone to carry out a fact-finding mission on the ongoing border dispute involving the village of Yenga.
The 12-member delegation will visit the area in the eastern Kailahun District to assess the situation firsthand and gather information. According to an official update, the team will observe conditions on the ground as part of ongoing efforts to support dialogue.
Yenga has been a source of tension between Sierra Leone and Guinea for over two decades. In 2001, during Sierra Leone’s civil war, Guinean troops entered Yenga to support Sierra Leonean forces against rebel groups. Although the conflict ended and agreements were signed in 2002 and 2005 for Guinea to withdraw, Guinean forces continued to remain in the area.
In the years that followed, both countries signed more agreements aimed at resolving the issue, including plans for both sides to pull their troops out of the area in 2012 and 2019. Despite these steps, full control of the village has remained unclear, and the matter has not been fully resolved.
Concerns grew again in 2025 when reports surfaced of Guinean troops returning to the area to guard mining operations. This move prompted Sierra Leone to increase its own security presence near the border. The situation led to renewed discussions within government and among communities in the affected region.
Earlier this year, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed Parliament on the background of the Yenga dispute and ongoing diplomatic steps. A high-level government delegation also visited Koindu, a nearby town, to engage with local leaders and residents on the matter.
Sierra Leone has stated it will continue working through regional bodies and legal frameworks to pursue a peaceful resolution. The visit by the ECOWAS team is part of wider efforts to support dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.
The delegation is expected to meet with key stakeholders, inspect the border area, and present its findings to help inform next steps. Further updates are expected in the coming days as the visit progresses.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
