AYV News, May 7, 2025
Popular Sierra Leonean female socio-political activist Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has criticised the President Dr. Julius Maada Bio-led government for “its blatant incapability to defend its people in Yenga”.
Speaking in a widely listened to special broadcast in the morning hours of May 5, 2025, Dr. Blyden expressed bitterness that the Sierra Leone Government has abandonedthe people of Yenga, currently stranded in Koindu with no food, no water, no adequate shelter and no medication.
According to her, the Bio-led government has behaved heartlessly, inconsiderately and in an inhuman manner towards its people. She said as of today’s date, there is no single soldier of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces deployed in Yenga.
She said currently, Yenga is fully under the control of the Guinean army, which has constructed a whole military barracks inside Yenga, and no one is allowed to enter Yenga without their permission.
Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden said: “This Yenga, is a place where no Sierra Leone soldier can dare to challenge the Guinean soldiers currently. Security experts say that the entire garrison, as built by the Guineans in Yenga in the last 2 years, can comfortably hold up to 500 soldiers”.
She revealed how the police strength was upgraded from an ordinary police station to a significant Division. She said it was done as a recommendation of the Human Rights Commission, and she acknowledged the sterling leadership of Inspector General, William Fayia Sellu on following the Human Rights Commission recommendations, given the importance of the border area.
Dr. Blyden also commended the current Chief of Defense Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, General Idara Bangura for his proactive step to deploy soldiers to be permanently based in the proximity of the Yenga area.
However, the Government of Sierra Leone has reported that the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces have recently made strategic deployments in Sokoma and Pengu Bendu, approximately 200 metres from Yenga, in a move aimed at protecting citizens and asserting national sovereignty.
The government said these deployments nearly surround the Guinean position, while diplomatic efforts continue to seek a final resolution to the dispute.
