By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
Tensions flared once again in the long-disputed border town of Yenga after Guinean soldiers reportedly fired gunshots late Sunday, raising fears of renewed hostilities between Guinea and Sierra Leone. The incident occurred just days after a high-level fact-finding mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was barred by Guinea’s military from accessing the contested area on Friday, August 29.
Local Member of Parliament for constituency 002 Hon. Falla Kenawah Tengbeh confirmed the shooting, describing it as a “provocative act” that has heightened insecurity among residents. “The people of Yenga are living in constant fear. Last night’s gunshots have sent families into hiding, not knowing what the next day will bring,” the MP said.
Eyewitnesses told reporters that the gunfire erupted shortly after sunset. While no casualties have been reported, the sound of live ammunition was enough to deepen the sense of dread in the community.
The Guinean military has dismissed the incident as an “accidental discharge,” but the event has fueled long-standing concerns over professionalism and adherence to protocol in an area that has been a flashpoint between Guinea and Sierra Leone for decades.
Yenga, a fertile riverside town once under Sierra Leone’s sovereignty, has been at the heart of a territorial dispute since the end of Sierra Leone’s civil war. Despite multiple diplomatic engagements, including interventions by ECOWAS and the Mano River Union, the question of Yenga’s ownership remains unresolved.
“The population is trapped between hunger and fear,” said a local civil society activist, calling for urgent international attention. “They cannot farm freely, and they cannot trade across the border. With every gunshot, hope fades further.”
Regional analysts warn that Guinea’s refusal to allow ECOWAS access to Yenga signals a deepening standoff that could destabilise relations between the two West African neighbours. ECOWAS, already stretched by political crises in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has yet to issue an official response to the latest incident.