Hon. Abdul Kargbo Reiterates Sierra Leone’s Claim to Yenga at ECOWAS Parliament

During a presentation at the ECOWAS Parliament, Honorable Abdul Kargbo, Opposition Leader in Parliament, reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s claim to the territory of Yenga, emphasizing its historical and legal ties to the country. He stated, “Our intentions are not to create discord between Sierra Leone and Guinea; we have a long-standing, beneficial relationship.”

Hon Kargbo clarified accusations surrounding Yenga, referencing a historical context where the Kissi language was spoken in the area prior to the Sierra Leone Civil War. He highlighted an agreement made on November 14, 2002, between former Sierra Leonean President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and former Guinean President Lansana Conté, which recognized Yenga as belonging solely to Sierra Leone. This agreement was reaffirmed in a 2005 memorandum of understanding and further supported by a joint declaration in 2012 to remove military personnel from Yenga.

Despite these agreements, Hon Kargbo expressed disappointment that they have not been honored by Guinea. He noted, “Yenga has not been a disputed land. It’s unfortunate that all those agreements have not been respected by Guinea.”

He also pointed out that Guinean troops first entered Yenga in 2001 during Sierra Leone’s civil war to assist against rebel forces, a move that the Sierra Leone government initially appreciated and still continue to appreciate. However, the continued military presence has led to ongoing tensions regarding control of the town.