ABUJA, Nigeria – Tensions are simmering along the Sierra Leone-Guinea border after a senior Sierra Leonean lawmaker accused Guinean forces of a serious territorial violation. The matter was formally raised at an Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, sparking calls for an immediate investigation.
Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, the Deputy Majority Leader 2 in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, took the floor to report what he described as a grave infringement on his country’s sovereignty in the northern Falaba District.
Troops ‘Abducted’ in Cross-Border Raid
Hon. Lamina alleged that Guinean troops crossed into the village of Kaliyereh, located in Sulima Chiefdom, and apprehended 13 personnel from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), including a Captain. According to the lawmaker, the soldiers were then forcibly taken to the Guinean capital, Conakry.
Citing Article 4(d) of the Parliament’s mandate—which tasks members with promoting regional peace and security—Hon. Lamina stressed that such actions violate the core principles of the ECOWAS community. While acknowledging the importance of free movement and labour mobility, he issued a firm warning that regional integration “must not come at the expense of sovereignty and security.”
A Pattern of Border Tensions
The lawmaker framed the Kaliyereh incident as part of a worrying pattern, reminding the House of previous disputes, including the ongoing situation in Yenga, Kailahun District, dating back to 2025, and another incursion in Gbane-Kandor, Kono District, earlier this year. He stated that the latest incident occurred as recently as February 23, with soldiers allegedly being assaulted on Sierra Leonean soil.
To underscore the legitimacy of Sierra Leone’s claim, Hon. Lamina asserted that geographical and GPS evidence confirms the disputed area falls squarely within the jurisdiction of a sitting Member of Parliament, leaving no doubt as to its sovereign status.
A Call for Diplomacy, Not War
Rather than advocating for a military response, Hon. Lamina urged the regional body to focus on strengthening military diplomacy and cross-border cooperation. He proposed that ECOWAS invest in capacity-building mechanisms to help member states resolve sensitive security issues through dialogue and structured collaboration.
In a powerful closing statement, he quoted the famous poem by German theologian Martin Niemöller to warn against collective silence:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out… Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Hon. Lamina cautioned that while Sierra Leone is the current victim of such aggression, any member state could be next if regional solidarity and lawful engagement are not upheld.
ECOWAS Parliament Orders Fact-Finding Mission
Responding to the serious allegations, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, called for the immediate establishment of a fact-finding committee.
The committee’s mandate will be to gather detailed information on the incident and the disputed border area, providing the Parliament with the evidence needed to determine its next course of action.
· Kwaku Sakyi-Danso