By Josephine Sesay
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has disclosed that President Dr. Julius Maada Bio raised the longstanding Yenga border issue during a private bilateral meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Speaking on Wake Up Sierra Leone program, Minister Kabba said the President used the opportunity to urge the UN to take concrete steps to ensure respect for territorial boundaries and to maintain regional peace and security.
“President Julius Maada Bio raised the Yenga issue at the UN during a private bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General and further called on the UN to uphold measures to ensure that territorial boundaries and security are maintained,” Minister Kabba revealed.
The Yenga dispute, an unresolved border issue between Sierra Leone and Guinea, has remained a sensitive topic since the early 2000s. Despite multiple diplomatic engagements, including efforts by the Mano River Union, full resolution of the matter has remained elusive.
Minister Kabba emphasized that Sierra Leone remains committed to peaceful dialogue but expects international partners, particularly the United Nations, to support mechanisms that reinforce the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member state.
“We believe the UN has a critical role to play in ensuring that international borders are respected and that disputes such as Yenga are addressed within the framework of international law and regional cooperation,” he added.
The Foreign Minister’s remarks come amid renewed calls by civil society and border communities for a definitive resolution to the issue, which has implications for security, trade, and cross-border relations in the region.
President Bio’s engagement with the UN Secretary-General reflects Sierra Leone’s diplomatic strategy to internationalize the Yenga matter and seek multilateral backing for a peaceful, lasting solution.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 15th October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
