ECOWAS Team Blocked, Shot Fired
By Mohamed Kamara
According to Honourable Fallah Tengbeh Kenawah from Kailahun, a Guinean soldier reportedly fired a gunshot in Yenga, an incident the Guinean military later described as an ‘accidental discharge’. The gunshot was fired shortly after an ECOWAS fact-finding delegation was blocked by Guinean forces from entering the contested territory on Friday, August 29, 2025. This worrying development has raised serious concerns around professionalism, protocol adherence, and the fragile security situation in Yenga; a border area at the heart of a territorial dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea for over two decades.
Despite the tense environment, a high-level ECOWAS delegation, in collaboration with officials from the Mano River Union (MRU) and senior representatives from the Government of Sierra Leone, proceeded with a crucial fact-finding visit to Yenga. The mission was aimed at supporting ongoing efforts to restore peace and resolve the long-standing border conflict.
The Sierra Leone delegation included Minister of Internal Affairs Morie Longor Esq., Assistant Inspector General of Police Moses Francis Tower, Eastern Police Regional Commander, and First Brigade Commander Brigadier Bangura.
Minister Longor emphasized that the delegation was dispatched under the directive of President Julius Maada Bio, in partnership with ECOWAS, to engage directly with residents of Kissi Teng Chiefdom and assess the realities on the ground. He appealed for continued patience and peaceful conduct, reassuring locals that diplomatic and non-violent solutions remain the government’s priority.
Representing the local population, Honourable Fallah Tengbeh Kenawah made a heartfelt plea to ECOWAS and the Government of Sierra Leone for a swift and lasting resolution. He recounted the ongoing hardship, displacement, and humiliation faced by residents as a result of Guinean military presence, and the collapse of historical social and economic ties once enjoyed across the border — including trade, intermarriage, and community cooperation.
While acknowledging the government’s provision of humanitarian aid, including rice for displaced families, Hon. Tengbeh stressed that material relief is no substitute for political resolution and dignity.
During detailed briefings, AIG Moses Tower and Brigadier Bangura presented updates on current security deployments, situational intelligence, and operational readiness in the Eastern Region. They reassured ECOWAS officials of their safety and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to stability, security, and dialogue.
Dr. Willie Eselebor, leading the ECOWAS mission, thanked the Government of Sierra Leone and the people of Kissi Teng for their resilience and cooperation, noting that the visit was strictly a fact-finding exercise. He emphasized ECOWAS’s goal of developing informed, impartial, and peaceful recommendations to help end the territorial impasse.
Dr. Eselebor also advised locals to avoid areas currently occupied by Guinean troops, urging caution until official directives are issued. He reiterated ECOWAS’s commitment to a non-violent approach that upholds the sovereignty and dignity of all parties.
Ambassador Mohamaden Njie, ECOWAS Ambassador to Sierra Leone, expressed optimism that the mission marked the beginning of a constructive diplomatic pathway to resolve the Yenga dispute.
The high-level engagement concluded on a hopeful and emotional note, with the people of Kissi Teng erupting in cheers as they welcomed what they described as the first genuine sign of progress in years. For many residents, the visit renewed confidence that the long-awaited reopening of the border and restoration of peace are within reach.
