MoPED Engages ECOWAS on Yenga Border Dispute Mediation

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has held a strategic engagement with a high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following the regional bloc’s recent fact-finding mission to Yenga. The discussions focused on collaborative efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution to the decades-old border dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Leading the ECOWAS team was Dr. Odigie Brown, Program Officer for Mediation at the ECOWAS Commission, accompanied by Resident Representative Mr. John Azumah and senior officials from ECOWAS and the Mano River Union. The delegation shared key insights from their visit to the disputed area and expressed ECOWAS’ readiness to support both nations in finding a sustainable diplomatic solution.

Welcoming the delegation, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, reaffirmed President Julius Maada Bio’s strong commitment to peace, democracy, and regional integration. She commended ECOWAS for its proactive role in the mediation process and emphasized the urgent need for a permanent resolution to the Yenga issue, which has persisted despite previous interventions by the Mano River Union.

Development Secretary Ambrose James further underscored MoPED’s full support for ECOWAS-led efforts, highlighting President Bio’s ongoing leadership in championing regional cooperation, stability, and resilience through platforms such as ECOWAS.

The briefing was attended by top officials from MoPED, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Lands, the Office of National Security (ONS), and other key security institutions. Discussions spanned the historical and geopolitical background of the Yenga dispute, its economic and social impact, and the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and sustained diplomacy.

All parties reiterated the importance of impartial mediation and continuous dialogue in securing a resolution that upholds the sovereignty and interests of both Sierra Leone and Guinea, while preserving peace and fostering regional unity.

The engagement concluded with MoPED reaffirming its readiness to collaborate closely with ECOWAS and national stakeholders to ensure progress toward a final settlement that reflects the shared values of peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.