Long-standing territorial struggle… Yenga Under Attack!

The border town of Yenga in eastern Sierra Leone has once again become the centre of a dangerous and long-standing territorial struggle, following a fresh incursion allegedly carried out by Guinean security forces last week. According to multiple eyewitness reports, armed men believed to be Guinean soldiers entered Yenga early Thursday morning, engaging in a standoff with Sierra Leonean border security personnel. The clash, though brief, has reignited fears of a renewed border conflict between the two neighbouring countries. Yenga, a small but strategic town near the Makona River, has been the subject of territorial disputes for over two decades. The conflict dates back to the early 2000s, when Guinean forces entered the area during Sierra Leone’s civil war to support efforts against rebels. Despite the war’s end and multiple diplomatic engagements, Guinean troops never fully withdrew. Since then, both countries have laid claim to the town, each citing different historical and security grounds. Local sources say residents fled their homes at dawn as gunfire echoed through the town. Shops were shut down, and schools closed indefinitely as uncertainty spread. “We were woken by gunshots. Everyone ran for safety. This is not the first time, but it felt worse today,” said Sorie Conteh, a farmer in Yenga. In Freetown, government officials have condemned the incursion as a breach of Sierra Leone’s sovereignty. A senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a formal protest note has been sent to the Guinean government, and diplomatic talks are underway through ECOWAS and the African Union. Sierra Leone’s military has since increased its presence along the border, with troops deployed to prevent further violations. “The Republic of Sierra Leone remains committed to peace, but we will not tolerate illegal occupation or aggression,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said on Friday. Meanwhile, the Guinean government has not issued an official response to the allegations, though sources in Conakry suggest the incursion may have been triggered by a recent demarcation exercise initiated by Sierra Leonean officials—a move reportedly rejected by Guinea. Experts say the Yenga dispute highlights the fragility of post-conflict peacebuilding in West Africa. “This is not just about land—it’s about power, resources, and national pride,” said Dr. Alhaji Jalloh, a political analyst. “Without a permanent and enforced resolution, flashpoints like Yenga will remain volatile.” As tensions simmer, residents of Yenga are once again caught in the middle of a geopolitical standoff. They are calling for immediate intervention to prevent the situation from escalating into a wider conflict.