LUNGI, 21st July, 2026 – The disputed Yenga border enclave dominated discussions at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, hosted in Lungi, Sierra Leone. Leaders commended Sierra Leone and Guinea for partially reopening the border but pressed Conakry to fully withdraw its troops from Yenga and Lofa, in line with the Tripartite Communiqué of March 2026.
ECOWAS directed its Commission to fast-track technical assessments of border friction points and propose sustainable solutions, working closely with the Mano River Union, AU, and UNOWAS. The move underscores the bloc’s determination to prevent renewed tensions along the Mano River corridor.
“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… and continue to pursue diplomatic solutions,” the communiqué stated.
The summit also spotlighted Sierra Leone’s political reconciliation ahead of the 2028 general elections. ECOWAS welcomed progress under the Agreement for National Unity between the government and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). President Julius Maada Bio’s decision to discontinue charges against former President Ernest Bai Koroma was hailed as a statesmanlike gesture fostering national unity.
ECOWAS urged Sierra Leonean stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, inclusivity, and transparency in constitutional and electoral reforms, ensuring credible polls that strengthen democratic governance.
Beyond Sierra Leone, ECOWAS leaders condemned terrorism in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, pledging to operationalize the Counterterrorism Brigade by 2027. They also expressed solidarity with Nigeria over rising banditry and kidnappings, while strongly condemning xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Sierra Leone secured a prominent role within ECOWAS institutions, with Francess Piagie Alghali appointed Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. This position places the country at the heart of regional stability efforts.
By hosting the summit, Sierra Leone not only reinforced its diplomatic standing but also placed its domestic priorities, reconciliation, electoral reforms, and border diplomacy, at the center of regional discourse. The Yenga issue highlights the delicate balance of peace along the Mano River corridor, while preparations for 2028 elections will test the country’s commitment to inclusivity and stability.
