The national chairman of Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Activists (CCSHRA) Charles Mambu told local media at a press conference at their 50 Fort Street headquarters yesterday that Guinean military has built permanent structures including military Barracks at the disputed border village of Yenga in Kailahun district between and 2022, and that their authorities including the president who he claims are fully aware and giving their backing and support.

Mr. Mambu described the recent incursion and reoccupation of Yenga by heavily armed Guineans troops as blatant violation of international treaties and protocols including the Mano River Union and ECOWAS which they are signatories.

He did not only refer to the issue a serious security threat but a “time bomb” waiting to explode at the slightest if not treated with the maximum seriousness it deserves by both the Sierra Leonean government and the international community. Chairman Mambu said as an organization, they are saddened that Guinean troops continue to maintain, harass and strengthen their illegal occupation of the land in Sierra Leone despite all negotiations.

This ugly development, he stressed, has brought renewed suffering to inhabitants in that area as they have become displaced people in their homes. Recognizing the vital role that Guinea played during Sierra Leone’s eleven years civil conflict, Mr. Mambu however insisted that didn’t give the impetus to ‘illegally occupy our land.

’ Enough is enough. It’s time for us to act firmly and decisively now to force Guinean troops out of Sierra Leones,” the chairman stressed but hastily ruled out any confrontation or violence. He suggested that Sierra Leone takes the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for redress.

He said at the end of the war Guinea withdrew its forces and their military equipment from Yenga back to their country and therefore sees no reason for their return back to the place insisting that Yenga in totality belongs to Sierra Leone. “Guinea is seven times bigger than Sierra Leone not to talk of its large population size but they exactly knows what they want in Yenga,” the Chairman added in a very angry mood.

“Time to free Yenga is now. Lion Mountain should wake from its slumber and take the right action,” he concluded.