Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bocakarie Bawoh, has reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to resolving the long-running Yenga border dispute with neighboring Guinea through peaceful and diplomatic channels.

Speaking at the government’s weekly press briefing in Freetown, Bawoh said the government will continue to prioritize dialogue, stressing that “any use of force would only escalate tensions.”

His remarks followed the recent visit of a high-level ECOWAS delegation to Sierra Leone on August 26, led by Dr. Odigie Brown. The team was tasked with conducting an independent and inclusive assessment of Yenga, a small but strategically important border community that has been the subject of contention between Sierra Leone and Guinea for more than two decades.

The ECOWAS mission engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including government authorities, local leaders, security officials, and community representatives, in a bid to gather credible information and explore a path toward lasting settlement.

Bawoh emphasized that Sierra Leone values the support of regional partners like ECOWAS and the African Union in finding a durable solution. He assured the public that the government remains in constant dialogue with Conakry and is determined to maintain the spirit of good neighbourliness.

The Yenga issue traces back to the 1990s, when Guinean troops occupied the area during Sierra Leone’s civil war to help fight rebels. Although both governments have since signed multiple communiqués pledging to resolve the matter, the withdrawal of Guinean forces and final demarcation of the border remain outstanding.

Observers say Sierra Leone’s stance on diplomacy over confrontation reflects both its commitment to regional peace and its broader foreign policy of non-aggression.