Dr Ibrahim Bangura: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 01 May 2025:
I am deeply concerned by the recent developments in Yenga, a territory that continues to be under the control of Guinean security forces despite repeated commitments to a peaceful resolution. (Photo above: Dr Ibrahim Bangura – Presidential Aspirant of Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress Party (APC).
The town of Yenga, located in Sierra Leone’s eastern Kailahun District, has for over two decades experienced military occupation by the Republic of Guinea, initially under the context of regional security cooperation during our civil war.
However, long after the cessation of conflict, and despite numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements, including the 2005 joint communiqué and follow-up efforts through the Mano River Union (MRU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Guinean military presence persists.
This situation not only undermines Sierra Leone’s territorial integrity, but also directly impacts the livelihoods and rights of Sierra Leonean citizens in Yenga and surrounding communities.
I believe that matters of national sovereignty should transcend party politics. I therefore call for a united, bipartisan approach to resolve this long-standing issue, in the spirit of cooperation with the Government of Sierra Leone and in full respect for our institutions. In so doing we should recognise the previous efforts by our former presidents Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (may his soul continue to rest in perfect peace) and Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma to peacefully resolve this issue.
To that end, I respectfully propose the following measures:
- A renewed and structured dialogue between the Governments of Sierra Leone and Guinea, under the facilitation of ECOWAS and the African Union (AU), aimed at setting a clear roadmap for Guinea’s full withdrawal from Yenga.
- The establishment of a cross-party parliamentary working group to monitor progress, foster transparency, and ensure that all diplomatic and legal options are actively pursued.
- Immediate efforts to assess and address the needs of Sierra Leonean citizens in Yenga, including legal documentation, access to services, and protection of property rights.
- Regular communication with the public on progress made, to build national consensus, counter misinformation, and demonstrate collective resolve.
I stand ready to work constructively with all stakeholders to ensure the peaceful and lawful return of Yenga to full Sierra Leonean administration. This is not a moment for blame—it is a time for leadership, unity, and action.
We owe it to our people and to the memory of those who have struggled to build and preserve the integrity of our beloved nation.
Let us act, together, to heal, unite and build Sierra Leone.
About the author
Dr Ibrahim Bangura is a Presidential aspirant of Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress Party (APC).
A cock that crows in a frying pan is not well cooked.
Greetings ladies and gentlemen.
Trying to read from the silence of Presidents Mammadi Dumbuya and Julius Maada Bio indicates to me that both leaders do not want this Yenga issue to escalate into a full blown war therefore, neither wants to comment on the issue that might arouse unforeseen circumstances. That silence in my view, is a good sign that presumptively,the leaders prefer dialogue to arm conflict. Which is the desired outcome from both Sierra Leoneans and Guinean citizens.
As I mentioned in my opening statement, a cock that crows in a frying pan is not well cooked.
It appears to me that during previous dialogues, where former Guinean President/s gave a nod that Yenga belongs to Sierra Leone, certain modalities were not completely trashed-out to effectively ensure that this situation at Yenga and other borders with Guinea are properly demarcated and a final solution is accomplished.
On that note, I am requesting that Sierra Leoneans and Guineans are patient,restrain from any inflammatory words or urge for a knee jack reaction because taking the issue to ICJ or other organizations would create a sense of disneighborliness, and if the African Union’s Agenda 2063 is to be accomplished, neighboring countries must avoid stopping on each other’s toes and be as neighborly in the African sense as possible.
Remember, the previous meetings about Yenga were not as hostile as this, which means that there is something that we are unaware of. As the saying goes, one must not step on ant in order to see it’s guts because it will live us nothing to see of the ant nor it’s gut. Therefore, let us tread with caution.
As the silence of the two leaders indicate to me that something is happening under the raider therefore, we should wait until we hear from them or see the results of an assumed secret discussions that might be taking place amongst the two leaders.
Patient is virtuous.
Thank you for your time.
The only measure that has not been pursued is to refer this long – standing dispute to the ICJ (International Court of Justice). As it is sub regional bodies – Mano River Union (MRU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to which both countries belong have engaged both states without any resolution to the dispute.
The Bakkasi Peninsula dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria was referred by the former to the ICJ which ruled in favour of Cameroon.
Perhaps there is something about the Yenga issue which Sierra Leoneans are not privy to otherwise the ICJ option should have been taken.
Dr Ibrahim Bangura: Can you give me one GOOD Reason as to why Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia should not become one country so that they can pull their RESOURCES together to enable them to FEED THEIR CHILDREN OF THE POOR?
I have seen that MANY, MANY BLACK PEOPLE Have Died, Are Dying, And Will Die Because Of Their Own ARROGANCE and UNTEACHABLEness, And Because Of The ARROGANCE and UNTEACHABLEness Of Their LEADERS.
You are an embodiment of the next leader in Sierra Leone. Keep advocating for welfare of your people; your rewards will come in less than three years