By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

eSierra Leone’s Minister of Internal Affairs, AIG (Rtd.) Morie Lengor Esq., has called on Defence and Security Chiefs of the Mano River Union (MRU) to take decisive action to ease tensions along the sub-regional borders, demilitarise Yenga, and facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services across member states.

The Minister made the appeal while delivering the keynote address at the Sub-Regional Meeting of the Mano River Union Technical Committee on Peace, Security and Defence, held at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Friday, 10 July.

Addressing senior defence and security officials from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, Lengor stressed that lasting peace and regional stability depend on stronger cooperation, mutual trust and collective action to resolve longstanding border-related challenges.

He highlighted the importance of addressing the Yenga issue, urging member states to work towards the demilitarisation of the border community as part of broader efforts to build confidence and strengthen peaceful relations among neighbouring countries.

According to the Minister, peaceful borders are fundamental to achieving the MRU’s vision of regional integration. He emphasised that unnecessary barriers to cross-border trade and movement should be removed to allow citizens, businesses and communities to benefit from improved economic opportunities and closer regional cooperation.

Lengor noted that ensuring the free movement of people, goods and services would not only promote economic growth but also reinforce security cooperation and deepen the longstanding ties among Mano River Union member states.

He further encouraged defence and security institutions across the sub-region to strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance joint border management and continue working together to address emerging security threats that could undermine regional peace and development.

The meeting brought together defence and security stakeholders from across the Mano River Union to deliberate on key peace, security and defence issues affecting the sub-region. Participants explored collaborative strategies aimed at enhancing stability, improving cross-border cooperation and advancing the shared objective of a peaceful, secure and economically integrated Mano River region.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 13th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)