AYV News, March 2, 2026
The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Monday received and welcomed home sixteen servicemen of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) who had been detained for several days in Guinea following a border-related incident.
The soldiers, who were reportedly apprehended by Guinean forces last week, were released over the weekend after diplomatic engagements between the two governments. Leading Sierra Leone’s delegation in the negotiations was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, who described the outcome as a testament to sustained diplomatic dialogue. Upon their return, Kabba expressed appreciation for the Vice President’s decisive and strategic intervention in securing the release of the detained personnel.
Speaking on the soldiers’ return, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, highlighted the discipline displayed by the officers. “The returned officers, led by their Captain, marched into the premises with discipline and dignity. Dressed in their military uniforms, heads held high, they carried themselves with pride — a powerful reminder of the courage and professionalism of our armed forces,” Bah stated.
According to the Ministry of Information, all sixteen personnel were safely received by Minister Kabba before being escorted back home. The Foreign Affairs Minister had led a high-level delegation to Conakry, where officials from both countries remain engaged in discussions aimed at resolving ongoing border disputes.
Despite the successful release of the detained soldiers, concerns persist over developments along the disputed frontier areas. A Member of Parliament representing Kissi Teng chiefdom in Kailahun district, Hon. Fallah Tengbeh, has raised alarm over what he described as an imminent security threat.
According to Hon. Tengbeh, a group of heavily armed Guinean soldiers recently made an unauthorized entry into Sokoma village, located approximately 300 metres from the disputed town of Yenga — an area long under Guinean military control.
The lawmaker alleged that the Guinean personnel informed villagers and RSLAF officers on the ground of intentions to assert control over Sokoma in the near future.
Officials say both governments are intensifying diplomatic engagements to find an amicable and lasting solution to the recurring border tensions, which have resurfaced in recent months.
The latest developments underscore the sensitivity of the Sierra Leone–Guinea border, particularly around Yenga, and highlight the importance of sustained dialogue to prevent escalation and maintain regional stability.
Observers note that while the safe return of the detained soldiers marks a positive diplomatic breakthrough, lasting peace will depend on clear demarcation agreements and continued high-level engagement between the two neighboring states.
