By Mohamed Kamara
A senior state house official, who wished to remain anonymous, has revealed a concerning development regarding Guinea’s territorial ambitions. The official disclosed that a “puzzling” letter from Hon. Engineer Fallah Kenawash Tenge of Kailahun District has informed the Sierra Leone government of a recent cartographic mapping exercise conducted by the Guinea Military Junta. The exercise, which took place just before the New Year, involved mapping Sierra Leonean villages located along the border between the two countries, and even extended beyond the Makona River Basin on Sierra Leone’s side.
Sources from the State House suggest that this action by Guinea’s military junta is a clear violation of international law. The official recalled that this latest attempt at territorial expansion is part of a long-standing dispute, which began with the Yenga issue. Diplomatic efforts to address the situation have been ongoing, with both civilian and military regimes in Guinea involved.
The Member of Parliament has urged the Sierra Leone government to dispatch representatives to speak with the chiefs of the affected areas. The MP further pointed out that the border limits between Sierra Leone and Guinea are outlined in a historical document signed by both English and French colonial powers, which Guinea has failed to respect.
To address the encroachment, the Sierra Leone government is advised to seek intervention through the appropriate ECOWAS diplomatic channels. The official emphasized that if Guinea continues to disregard the established border agreements, the Sierra Leone government should consider escalating the matter to the International Court of Arbitration. The official criticized the Sierra Leone government’s previous leniency in resolving the issue, stating that now is the time to pursue a more decisive solution through international legal avenues.
