These are the frank views of a renowned political analyst in Freetown who prefers anonymity. There is no denying the fact that the Illegal President Maada Bio had sold Yenga to the Guinean President Lt. Col Mamady Doumbouya in late October 2022. (Photo: Maada and Mamady during his Freetown visit in 2022).

Reports say a mere $US300M pittance exchanged hands for Yenga. The fakery surrounding the Yenga situation is disrespectful and deceptive to the people of Sierra Leone. Even the fake SLPP media, including the corrupt BBC Reporter in Sierra Leone, Umaru Fofana, are conspiring to hide the truth about the Yenga impasse.

The Yenga enclave was sold to the Guinea military junta leader, Lt Col. Mamady Doumbouya, for a meagre US$300 million in 2022. The secret deal was sealed and settled after President Doumbouya’s one-day road visit to Freetown.

In the heavily weaponised military convoy from Conakry to Freetown, the first of its kind for a president to allow another leader to visit his country with their soldiers carrying sophisticated weapons, Mamady unlawfully bought Yenga, the sale was illegally negotiated and settled.

In the aftermath of Doumbouya’s one-day visit, more Guinea soldiers with heavy artillery crossed over into Yenga. And since then, the arrogant Guinea soldiers had built edifices, including quarters for their soldiers and houses for newly arrived Guinea civilians in Yenga.

This unlawful invasion has precipitated the displacement of thousands of Sierra Leoneans in Yenga. Indigenes of Yenga, for fear of Guinea brutality, have moved out of Yenga town into surrounding villages away from the Guinea soldiers who have taken over the entire town.

This has forced the locals to stop doing their daily farming and fishing activities, which they depended on for their livelihoods. Statues have been built and Guinea national flags have been hoisted to show ownership in the last three years since the occupation.

Shockingly, while the Guineans are making Yenga their property, the corrupt and unelected Sierra Leone President Maada Bio is conspicuously silent on the Yenga impasse. Bio has never spoken publicly about Guinea’s occupation of Yenga. Why?

The answer is simple. This is because Maada Bio knows full well that he had sold Yenga to Mamady for a pittance. Reports say there are plans afoot between Bio and Mamady to sell Koindu Town and later the entire Kailahun to Guinea if Bio is not stopped immediately.

This speculation about Koindu and Kailahun is rife. And as the innocent indigenes are suffering at the moment due to displacements from their homes, etc., there is light at the end of the tunnel for total freedom in Yenga and Kailahun in general.

The imminent transition of power to the democratically elected President-Elect, Dr Samura Kamara, shall free Yenga once and for all, so that Yenga will return to Sierra Leone’s ownership. This shall be done through the intervention of global partners. Recent skirmishes in Yenga between the Bio soldiers and Guineans are a deception.

The Yenga Issue Shall be Resolved with a Responsible, Proactive, and Diplomatically Skilled Government in Sierra Leone

By a Special Correspondent

Yenga, a small border town in eastern Sierra Leone, became a point of contention between Sierra Leone and Guinea during the civil war (1991-2002). Guinean troops entered the area to help fight the RUF rebels, but refused to withdraw after the war ended, citing security and strategic concerns. Despite multiple bilateral talks and agreements, Guinea has maintained some level of control or presence in Yenga. Factors that can lead to resolution under a responsible government –

1. Strengthening Bilateral Diplomacy: A responsible government would engage continuously and seriously with Guinea, using regional mechanisms (like ECOWAS or the AU) to facilitate dialogue and transparency.
2. Border Demarcation: Implementing the Mano River Union agreements and finalising joint demarcation can legally clarify ownership. A credible government would invest in mapping and neutral third-party arbitration if necessary.
3. Military & Security Cooperation: A responsible government would seek to de-escalate military tensions through confidence-building measures, like joint patrols, rather than provocation or passivity.
4. Public Communication and Sovereignty Assertion: A serious administration would communicate openly with citizens about efforts and progress, reinforcing national sovereignty without triggering conflict.
5. Regional & International Support: Leveraging the UN, ECOWAS, and African Union to put diplomatic pressure on Guinea could be effective if the government shows initiative and leadership.
6. Development and Local Engagement: Investing in Kailahun district, especially Yenga, to improve infrastructure and governance would solidify Sierra Leone’s presence and win over local loyalty.

So if Sierra Leone had a truly responsible and strategic government, the Yenga issue could very likely be resolved peacefully and permanently. The problem persists not due to impossibility, but because of intermittent political will, weak diplomatic follow-through, and regional complexity. #MySierraLeoneMyResponsibility