ECOWAS Urges Guinea Troop Withdrawal, Endorses Sierra Leone Reconciliation Process

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on Guinea to fully withdraw its troops from the disputed Yenga border enclave, bringing renewed regional attention to one of Sierra Leone’s longest-standing territorial disputes.

The appeal was contained in the final communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi. During the summit, regional leaders reviewed major political, security and governance issues affecting member states.

While welcoming the recent partial reopening of the Yenga border crossing by Sierra Leone and Guinea, the Authority stressed that further action is required to fully implement commitments previously agreed by both countries.

“The Authority commends the authorities of Sierra Leone and Guinea for the partial reopening of the Yenga border, and further urges Guinean authorities to fully withdraw their troops from Yenga and Lofa in accordance with the Tripartite Communiqué of March 2026 and continue to pursue diplomatic solutions,” the communiqué stated.

To facilitate a lasting resolution, ECOWAS directed its Commission to expedite technical assessments of border friction points and collaborate with the Mano River Union (MRU), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) in developing sustainable solutions.

Beyond the border dispute, the regional bloc welcomed progress under Sierra Leone’s Agreement for National Unity between the Government and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), describing recent reconciliation efforts as encouraging developments ahead of the country’s 2028 general elections.

ECOWAS also commended President Julius Maada Bio’s decision to discontinue legal proceedings against former President Ernest Bai Koroma, describing the move as a significant contribution to national reconciliation and political stability.

The Authority further encouraged political parties and other national stakeholders to sustain dialogue while ensuring that constitutional and electoral reforms are implemented in an inclusive, transparent and peaceful manner.

On regional security, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, reiterating plans to operationalise the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Brigade by 2027.

The summit also saw Sierra Leone secure a strategic position within the ECOWAS Commission, with Francess Piagie Alghali appointed Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, further strengthening the country’s role in advancing the bloc’s peace, security and governance agenda.

The resolutions adopted at the summit underscore ECOWAS’ continued commitment to promoting peaceful resolution of the Yenga border dispute, strengthening democratic governance, and supporting political stability in Sierra Leone and across the West African region.