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In a historic and insightful address, Honorable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo has provided a detailed explanation of the long-standing border dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea, with a particular focus on the contested Yenga region.
Speaking candidly about both past and present tensions, Hon. Ben Kargbo traced the roots of the conflict back to the era of President Siaka Stevens. According to him, the Yenga issue began when security challenges during Stevens’ administration led to an agreement permitting Guinean troops to cross into Sierra Leonean territory. However, following their deployment, Guinean forces occupied large portions of Yenga an occupation that went largely unchallenged at the time.
“The Yenga issue dates back to the era of President Siaka Stevens. At that time, security challenges led to an agreement allowing Guinean forces to enter Sierra Leone. However, these forces occupied a significant portion of Yenga, which we did not formally contest,” Hon. Ben Kargbo stated.
He pointed out that the official border demarcation recognized by Sierra Leone is at Farangaria approximately 12 miles from the current Guinean-occupied Gbalangua, where Guinea claims the boundary lies.
Hon. Ben Kargbo highlighted the efforts of successive Sierra Leonean leaders, including President Julius Maada Bio, to peacefully resolve the issue. He recalled how Guinean troops, initially invited to assist during the civil war, remained in Yenga long after the conflict ended.
“We called Guinean troops to help us fight during the war. They brought their troops to Yenga, and after the war, they did not leave. They stayed and took over Yenga,” he explained. “President Kabbah did not allow the situation to persist unchecked. Together, we agreed to pursue a peaceful resolution.”
He noted that both former President Ernest Bai Koroma and current President Maada Bio have engaged in diplomatic negotiations to address the matter. One of the agreements reached involved declaring Yenga a non-military zone, enabling residents of both countries to cohabit peacefully.
Despite these efforts, Hon. Ben Kargbo emphasized the military imbalance between the two nations as a significant barrier to any aggressive resolution. “We cannot confront Guinea militarily because they have an air force we do not possess, and their forces are three times our size,” he remarked
Thankfully Hon. Ben kargbo, you have said the hard fact,our military is under equipt and smaller in size as compared to Guinean military force, using diplomacy is the only option we have as sierra leoneans. It’s a shame and it gives me a sense of insecurity, Sierra Leone cannot confront any nation within the Manor River region. What a shame. Na gra gra we militants just dae make pa we yah. But she she.
IB Kargbo is making a back and fourth statement All we know is Yenga came to the limelight during the war, and now you’re referencing Siaka Steven whom many believe was not the issue because Yenga issue during the war. Sellout committee at work
Democracy is killing us , politicians only think about themselves and neglected military spending. Whether fight guinea or not we should prepare a complete military forces