27/02/2026
Manso S. Bangura Human Rights Activist Representing No More Agony For Children Orphanage And Animals Welfare -Sierra Leone.
Theme: This border issue between Sierra Leone and Guinea is not new. The dispute over Yenga started during the civil war from 1991 to 2002 when Guinean troops entered to support Sierra Leone. After the war ended in 2002, the area was never fully demarcated. That unfinished border process is what keeps creating tension.
Recently, 16 Sierra Leonean soldiers were detained around the disputed zone. Guinea says they crossed over. Sierra Leone says they were on our land building a border post. This shows clearly that the real problem is the unclear colonial boundary lines that were never properly settled.
Sierra Leone has stayed at peace for more than 20 years. Since 2002 we have focused on stability and rebuilding. Our soldiers have not been engaged in war because this country understands what conflict can destroy. Choosing diplomacy is not weakness. It is maturity and experience.
Guinea’s current leader first took power through a military coup in 2021 before later organizing elections. When a leader comes to power through force, questions about legitimacy remain. In such situations, external tension can sometimes strengthen internal control. Many people are observing this angle carefully.
Previous governments in both Sierra Leone and Guinea managed this same border dispute without this level of escalation. That is why many citizens feel something deeper may be influencing the current posture.
The solution is not war. The solution is proper border demarcation, ECOWAS engagement, and serious diplomatic negotiation. Conflict will only damage both economies and hurt ordinary citizens on both sides.
Peace, legality, and regional stability must come first.
