Gambiaj.com – (Freetown, Sierra Leone) – Sierra Leone is urgently appealing for international support to resolve a long-standing border dispute with neighboring Guinea over the control of Yenga, a town situated in the Kailahun District near the Makona River. Minister of Information and Civic Education, ChernorBah revealed that comprehensive reports detailing the situation have been formally submitted to both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), imploring their immediate intervention.

Minister Bah emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member states and expressed hope that these regional bodies would play a crucial role in finding a peaceful and lasting solution.

The conflict over Yenga traces its origins back to the early 2000s, a period marked by Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war. Guinean troops initially entered the area with the stated aim of assisting in the fight against rebel forces.

However, despite the cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace in Sierra Leone, the Guinean military presence in Yenga has persisted, creating a persistent source of tension and friction between the two nations.

The ongoing dispute is having a severe impact on local communities in the Kailahun District, particularly in areas such as Koindu and Sokoma. Reports indicate that women who traditionally relied on vibrant cross-border markets for their livelihoods have been cut off from these vital economic activities.

Furthermore, the prevailing insecurity has disrupted the education of children in the region, preventing them from attending school.

The humanitarian consequences of the Yenga dispute are also mounting. Numerous families have been displaced from their homes and are currently living without adequate shelter and essential household items.

Disturbing accounts from affected communities also include reports of safety concerns, with vulnerable individuals, particularly women, facing instances of sexual harassment and abuse.

In a significant move to escalate diplomatic efforts, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has instructed the nation’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, to formally brief the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council on the delicate and increasingly urgent matter.

This step underscores the seriousness with which the Sierra Leonean government views the situation and its determination to find a resolution through established international channels.

The international community now faces the crucial task of addressing this protracted border dispute, which not only threatens the stability of the Mano River region but also inflicts significant hardship on the affected civilian populations.

The calls for intervention from ECOWAS, the AU, and now the United Nations highlight the urgent need for a concerted diplomatic effort to ensure the sovereignty of Sierra Leone and bring much-needed relief and security to the communities caught in the middle of this enduring conflict.