By Mohamed Kamara
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Francess Paige Alghali, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens, amid ongoing tensions with Guinea over the disputed border town of Yenga.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Miatta Conference Centre, Madam Alghali stressed that Sierra Leone remains focused on diplomacy rather than conflict.
“Sierra Leone and Guinea share longstanding historical and tribal connections. War is not an option. Our approach is to exhaust all peaceful and constructive means of engagement,” she said. However, she warned that should Guinea fail to comply with agreed terms or resist peaceful resolution, Sierra Leone would not hesitate to seek legal arbitration from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a related development, Madam Alghali announced Sierra Leone’s official endorsement of Dr. Charles C. Jalloh as the country’s nominee for one of three upcoming vacancies at the ICJ. Dr. Jalloh, a respected Professor of International Law at Miami University in the United States, is internationally recognized for his contributions to legal scholarship and diplomacy.
She noted that Dr. Jalloh has represented Sierra Leone and the broader international community in numerous legal forums, including the United Nations. “He is a legal luminary whose oratory and legal intellect have earned him prestigious awards globally. His nomination is strongly supported by President Julius Maada Bio and Sierra Leone’s delegation to the UN,” she added.
In his remarks, Dr. Jalloh emphasized Sierra Leone’s legacy in global judicial institutions, citing the contributions of Sierra Leoneans to bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the ICJ. He highlighted the service of the late Justice Abdul G. Koroma, who served two terms as an ICJ judge.
“The ICJ is instrumental in resolving boundary disputes and offers legal guidance to countries in conflict,” Dr. Jalloh explained. “It consists of 15 judges from across the world, with Africa occupying three permanent seats. If elected, I will uphold Sierra Leone’s reputation as a nation of rich human capital and legal excellence.”
Dr. Jalloh, an alumnus of Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School in Kissy, is one of the youngest candidates in the race for the ICJ position and represents Sierra Leone’s ambition to maintain a strong presence on the international legal stage.
