By Josephine Sesay

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has announced that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will hold a high-level mediation and security meeting this week, with the long-standing Yenga border dispute taking centre stage.

Speaking to journalists, Minister Kabba confirmed that a recent joint meeting took place in Yenga village involving military and state officials from both Sierra Leone and Guinea. The delegation included police, military personnel, and co-chiefs from both nations, in what was described as a constructive and peaceful engagement.

This meeting was a significant step in promoting peace and stability in the Yenga region, said Minister Kabba. However, the continued occupation and aggression against Sierra Leone’s sovereignty is a clear violation of international law.

The Yenga dispute, which dates back over two decades, centres on territorial claims and border demarcation issues between Sierra Leone and Guinea. Although past diplomatic efforts have been made, including interventions by regional bodies, the matter remains unresolved.

Minister Kabba reiterated that the Government of Sierra Leone is committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, resolving this issue requires deliberate and strategic diplomacy, we are actively engaging the Government of Guinea in ongoing bilateral discussions, while also seeking support from regional and continental bodies.”

He noted that the Yenga issue has been presented to various organizations to which both countries are members, including ECOWAS and the African Union. The current diplomatic approach is focused on finding a consensus through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Importantly, the Foreign Minister stated that while all diplomatic avenues are being pursued, Sierra Leone will not rule out seeking international legal redress, if necessary, If all other efforts fail, we are prepared to bring the matter before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a final step toward a just and lasting resolution,” he said.

The upcoming ECOWAS mediation meeting is expected to bring fresh momentum to efforts aimed at resolving the territorial impasse. Citizens and stakeholders alike are hopeful that the renewed dialogue will pave the way for lasting peace, cooperation, and regional stability.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 20th June, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)