By Kemo Cham
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio is expected to raise the issue of the border dispute with neighbouring Guinea at this week end’s meeting of West African leaders, State House has disclosed.
West African leaders are gathered in the Nigerian capital, Abuja for the the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State.
The heads of state meeting which will be preceded by the first edition of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), will discuss the 50th anniversary celebrations of the bloc, as well as several other issues, including the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
According to a statement from State House Press Secretary’s officer, President Bio will use the platform to discuss the border dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea.
“President Bio is expected to deliver a high-level statement during the Presidential Session on Regional Integration and Prosperity, where he will highlight Sierra Leone’s commitment to boosting intra-regional trade, advancing industrialization, and effectively implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” the statement said.
It added: “President Bio is expected to use his intervention during the session to express serious concern regarding the ongoing border dispute with the Republic of Guinea over the town of Yenga.”
The protracted disputed between Guinea and Sierra Leone resurfaced last month when Guinean forces reportedly fired gunshots, forcing residents of the beleaguered town of Yenga to flee for safety.
Despite repeated negotiations between successive Guinean and Sierra Leonean governments, the Guineans have maintained their hold on the area.
Sierra Leone hopes that the intervention of the sub regional group will lead to a resolution.
However, it is unclear how this will work given that Guinea is under suspension from ECOWAS as a result of the ousting of the civilian government there in 2021.
The bloc suspended Guinea’s membership after Colonel Mamady Doumbouya ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021.
