By Mohamed Kamara
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The long-standing territorial dispute over Yenga has taken a new turn, validating repeated warnings issued by The Watch Newspaper regarding the risks of negotiating with the military-led government of neighboring Guinea.
At several weekly press briefings organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, representatives of The Watch Newspaper consistently cautioned against relying on Guinea’s transitional military regime for a peaceful resolution to the Yenga issue. The newspaper argued that the Guinean junta, which came to power through unconstitutional means, lacks the legitimacy and legal structure required for credible bilateral negotiations.
In its commentary, The Watch maintained that Guinea’s military rulers govern by decree and can take unilateral decisions without consultation or regard for international norms. The newspaper urged Sierra Leonean authorities to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for arbitration.
Responding to these concerns at a recent press briefing, National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker said Sierra Leone continues to pursue a diplomatic route. He emphasized that dialogue remains the preferred path, especially given the longstanding cultural and historical ties between the two nations. Caulker added that both countries had agreed to exchange documents during recent table talks.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a separate briefing, acknowledged the ongoing discussions and stated that Sierra Leone reserves the right to escalate the matter to the ICJ should negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory outcome.
However, public concern is growing as tensions rise along the disputed border. Residents of Kissi Tenga and surrounding communities report increased Guinean military presence, prompting many to flee in fear of further escalation.
“Revolutionary governments cannot be trusted,” said one concerned citizen. “Where a constitutionally elected government is bound by legal constraints, a military junta can act unilaterally and aggressively. That’s what we’re now witnessing in Yenga.”
With citizens reportedly under siege and confidence in dialogue waning, pressure is mounting on the Sierra Leonean government to take decisive diplomatic or legal action to safeguard its territorial integrity and protect its people.
