AYV News, September 9, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Morie Lengor, has advised that diplomacy is the best way to handle the border dispute in Yenga, rather than war.
Speaking to AYV News, Mr. Lengor said, “As neighbouring countries sharing common goals, we will not have the time to focus on national development and progress if we choose war over diplomacy in addressing the Yenga issue. In such situations, diplomacy is always the best way to go. We know diplomacy is strenuous and painful at times, but it has proven to be more sustainable by far. We want to ensure that the matter is resolved amicably, peacefully, and diplomatically because we have suffered the consequences of war, and nobody wants bloodshed. Diplomacy has played a role in the Yenga issue for many years”.
Mr. Lengor said the Guineans built the barracks behind their military line, adding, “We in Sierra Leone are law-abiding people, and so there was that agreement. We are honoring our part of the agreement as stated”.
He said there has been a lack of sincerity on the part of some Guinean forces on the ground and suggested the situation may be used to draw attention away from problems within Guinea, including pressure on its government to return to civilian rule.
“If they continue with this kind of situation, even their citizens will start thinking in a nationalist way like Sierra Leone wants to fight them,” he said, adding, “the situation is being used as a distraction not just politically, but also economically.
He called on everyone to take this issue seriously and remove politics from it, noting that Guinea will not be able to reach Koindu because of the defensive position Sierra Leone has taken, and that at this point, the country has the right to defend itself.
