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Sixteen Sierra Leonean security personnel who were detained by Guinean forces earlier this week have returned safely to Freetown following successful diplomatic negotiations between the two nations.
The officers, who are reported to be in stable condition, were welcomed back at a special dinner hosted by Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh at his official residence. The reception was attended by key government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Timothy Musa Kabba, who led the high-level delegation to Conakry that secured the personnel’s release.
Minister of Information Chernor Bah, who was also in attendance, praised the diplomatic resolution and the professionalism of the returning armed forces. Emphasizing the relief felt by the administration, Bah stated that “war [was] averted” and suggested that the successful negotiations could open doors to resolving broader bilateral issues.
The personnel were initially abducted on Monday following a border dispute in the Kaliyereh area of Falaba District. The incident sharply escalated concerns over the fragile security situation along the eastern frontier, prompting Minister Kabba’s immediate deployment to Guinea for intensive talks.
While the swift release of the personnel is being hailed as a major diplomatic success for President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, underlying tensions on the ground remain high.
The recent clashes are closely linked to a long-standing territorial dispute over Yenga, a strategic border town currently under the control of Guinean troops.
Despite the de-escalation in Falaba District, local leaders are raising alarms about further incursions nearby. Hon. Fallah Tengbeh, the Member of Parliament representing Kissi Teng Chiefdom in Kailahun District, reported that heavily armed Guinean soldiers made an unauthorized entry into Sokoma village earlier this week.
According to Tengbeh, the Guinean forces informed local residents and stationed Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) personnel that they intend to return and take control of the village. Sokoma is located just 300 metres from Yenga, and the alleged threats have deeply unsettled local residents.
We wanted to see how our government will soon end this border conflict with this Guineans, because if government do not act quickly anytime such attempt could repeat will rise tension more than this now o. As ECOWAS chairman for West Africa you need to act very fast to save your people and your own very name please, otherwise with all your position those boys will continue to iyefit you or look down on you and your country. So as a ECOWAS chairman, we want the Yenga and all other areas between the boarder to be resolved in your hands soonest so we can add the records to your CV too for ever sir. Maybe if are only acting as a president things could not get to solve easily but you are more than that sir.