ECOWAS Demands Full Guinean Troop Withdrawal from Yenga and Lofa Enclaves

The Economic Community of West African States has called on Guinea to fully withdraw its troops from the Yenga and Lofa enclaves, despite a recent partial reopening of the border following months of diplomatic negotiations.

The resolution was contained in the final communiqué of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Lungi on July 19. The Authority commended Sierra Leone and Guinea for the partial reopening of the Yenga border but pressed Conakry to complete the withdrawal in line with the Tripartite Communiqué of March 2026.

The Yenga border crossing at Koindu-Nongoa in Kailahun District officially reopened on June 24, 2026, after being closed since April 28, 2025. The prolonged closure had caused severe humanitarian and economic hardship, displacing residents from Yenga to nearby communities.

Under the agreed arrangements, the Sierra Leone National Revenue Authority will continue revenue collection within Sierra Leonean territory, including Yenga, while the Sierra Leone Immigration Department will maintain its operational presence. Both governments also agreed that Guinea must provide at least 48 hours’ notice before any future border closure.

The dispute over Yenga dates back to 2001, when Guinea intervened in Sierra Leone’s civil war. Despite later agreements recognizing Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, Guinean forces never fully withdrew. Tensions flared again in April 2025 when Guinean troops reportedly re-entered Yenga and began constructing permanent military structures.

ECOWAS directed its Commission to fast-track a technical assessment of current and potential border friction points along the Sierra Leone-Guinea Yenga border and the Liberia-Guinea Lofa border.

The regional body further instructed the Commission to formulate recommendations for an amicable settlement and to continue working with the Mano River Union Secretariat, the African Union, and UNOWAS.

The Authority also called on member states to pursue diplomatic solutions in addressing border disputes, reaffirming the commitment to peaceful coexistence and strengthened bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Guinea