The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has completed a fact-finding mission to Yenga in Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Kailahun District, following renewed tensions after Guinean troops reportedly took control of the area and key border crossings on April 29.
The two-day mission, conducted on May 15 and 16, aimed to assess the situation on the ground and investigate human rights concerns raised by displaced residents. The HRCSL delegation was led by Commissioner Simitie Lavaly and included senior officials such as Peter Abraham Koroma, Director of Human Resources; Emmanuel Thomas, Deputy Director and Head of the Southern Region Office; Tanneh Kumba Koroma, Acting Head of the Eastern Region Office; and Human Rights Officer Francis Baigeh Johnson.
They were joined by Francis Mustapha Sengeh, Regional Coordinator East of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, along with Amos Koroma and Roland John Momodu from the Kailahun District Human Rights Committee.
This is not the Commission’s first visit to Yenga. In January 2021, it conducted a similar mission and submitted recommendations to the government, following long-standing tensions between Sierra Leone and Guinea over ownership of the area. The border village has been a point of contention since the end of Sierra Leone’s civil war in 2002.
The latest developments have worsened living conditions for residents. During a stakeholder meeting held in Koindu Town, many displaced villagers shared their experiences. The Town Chief of Yenga, Tamba Nyuma, described how the military presence forced them to flee. “We decided to escape at night for our lives without taking anything along. Currently, we don’t have any strategic place to stay and make ends meet. We’re squatting here in Koindu Town. We have become displaced in our own country, and our children can’t attend school because of the prevailing situation,” he said.
Chairlady of Yenga Town, Musu James, voiced concern over livelihoods and access to education. “We’ve left behind our plantation and other sources of livelihood which we depend on to survive. We’re struggling right now. We want to return back to our community so that our children can continue their schooling,” she said.
Chiefdom Speaker Fallah Jusu added that he had alerted government authorities about the Guinean military building structures in the area, but no action was taken. “They have now occupied our land, and we do not have the power to fight them. We don’t want war; all we are asking for is a peaceful and permanent solution to this crisis,” he said.
In response, Commissioner Lavaly acknowledged the gravity of the situation and called for calm. She assured the community that HRCSL would engage with government authorities to work toward a peaceful and lasting solution.
The delegation also visited the affected communities of Sokoma and Pengu Bengu and toured the contested border area. HRCSL mentioned that a detailed report, including findings and recommendations, will be released at a later date.
