AYV News, August 29, 2025
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), which hosts the ECOWAS National Office in Sierra Leone has received a high-level ECOWAS fact-finding mission tasked with assessing the long-standing border dispute between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Guinea. The delegation, composed of ECOWAS officials, technical experts, and representatives of the Mano River Union (MRU), held a working session with the Honourable Minister of Planning and Economic Development and senior government officials.
Welcoming the delegation, Honourable Minister Kenyeh Barlay reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s full cooperation and commitment to the mission, stressing that the Government attaches the highest importance to the peaceful resolution of the dispute. She emphasised that this mission aligns with the four-point priority agenda of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which focuses on restoring constitutional order in the region, revitalising regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration, and building institutional credibility of ECOWAS. She further noted that although the Yenga issue had previously been addressed by the Mano River Union, it still requires a final resolution.
For us in Sierra Leone, Yenga is not just about a piece of land, it is about history, sovereignty, and the peaceful coexistence of our peoples,” Minister Barlay said*. “That is why we welcome this ECOWAS mission with open arms and stand ready to provide every support necessary for a fair and lasting resolution.”
The Minister commended ECOWAS’s sustained efforts in promoting peace and regional security, and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to dialogue and integration.
Ambrose James, Development Secretary at MoPED, also acknowledged the ECOWAS delegation and registered the Ministry’s cooperation in strengthening peace and governance. He emphasised that President Bio has played a crucial role in supporting ECOWAS regional policies aimed at fostering resilience and stability across member states.
The ECOWAS delegation was led by Dr. Odigie Brown, Program Officer for Mediation at the ECOWAS Commission, together with Mr. John Azumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone. Dr. Brown emphasised the importance of impartiality, independence, and inclusivity in the assessment process, noting that the team’s work is not only about resolving a border dispute but about contributing to sustainable peace in the region.
Also part of the delegation were Ebenezer Asiedu, Head of the Democracy and Good Governance Division of the ECOWAS Directorate of Political Affairs, and Mr. E. Mohamed Njie. From the Mano River Union, Mrs. Ange M.C. Konan Munu underscored the importance of collaboration, stressing that whether through MRU or ECOWAS, the ultimate goal remains peace, unity, and stability in the sub-region.
Representing the Ambassadors in Abuja, the PRC delegate explained that the Yenga matter was first discussed at the Ambassadorial level before being escalated to the ECOWAS Council, a move which demonstrates its seriousness. He highlighted key guiding principles for the mission, including collaboration, neutrality, participation, and fair assessment. He assured Sierra Leone of the Ambassadors’ commitment to ensuring the matter is resolved amicably and expressed confidence that the mission’s work would result in practical solutions.
The experts forming part of the mission outlined their methodology and mandate, explaining that their objective is to conduct a comprehensive and impartial assessment of the dispute. They pledged to gather and analyze information, identify both immediate and underlying causes of the issue, review past initiatives, and propose durable solutions acceptable to all parties. The experts clarified that the situation is considered a dispute and not a conflict, stressing the importance of acting early to prevent escalation. They further explained that information shared by government and stakeholders would be treated with confidentiality, and their inquiry would focus on situational analysis, conflict dynamics, territorial integrity, and the perspectives of affected border communities.
The also engaged senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Lands and Lands Commission, the Office of National Security (ONS), and defense and security agencies. These stakeholders provided historical, geographical, and economic insights into the Yenga issue, underscoring the need for diplomatic dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of shared commitment by Sierra Leone, ECOWAS, the MRU, and other regional stakeholders to work towards dialogue, impartial assessment, and lasting solutions. Minister Barlay thanked the delegation for their efforts and assured them of the Government’s continued support throughout the mission. In turn, the ECOWAS team expressed appreciation for Sierra Leone’s cooperation and looked forward to presenting their findings to the ECOWAS Authority.
