By Ragan M. Conteh

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament from Kailahun district, Hon Hindolo Ngevao, has said his people have been pushed out of their Yenga soil by the Guinea military forces.

According to the MP, the military have gone as far as erecting permanent structures in the Sierra Leone land.

“We cannot shy away from the truth that there is a problem being nurtured between Sierra Leone and Guinea. We must act now,” Hon Ngavao said.

He, however, urged the Sierra Leone authorities especially officers of ministry of defence to expedite the diplomatic engagement between the two countries thereby ensuring that the Sierra Leone land be returned again to Sierra Leoneans.

Hon MP further urged the Speaker of parliament to also ensure that the regional bodies are involved in resolving the Yenga issue.

He stressed that the land had been in Guinean authorities since the former heads of state, late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba, former President Ernest Bai Koroma and now under president Julius Maada Bio but the issue is still unresolved.

What is more bothering the MP is that erecting permanent structures in someone else’s land which means wanting to grab it.

He called on the ECOWAS, AU and other international bodies to turn their attention to Sierra Leone and resolve the Yenga issue.

“We are ready to protect our land as a country but through diplomatic means. We are calling on President Bio who is the Commandar-in-Chief to work diplomatically to end the Yenga land dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Another SLPP female MPs from Kailahun distric, Hon Songa and Emilia Lolloh Tongi,  all share similar thoughts in the chambers of parliament.

They stating that as representatives from Yenga, they are receiving lots of complaints from their constituents regarding the said land.

“Our use to undertake their farming activities in Yenga but that glory has been lost. Yenga is in Sierra Leone’s soil and it belongs to Sierra Leone which the country cannot give up,” they said.

MPs called on ECOWAS and government to expedite the discussion on Yenga and restore sanity.

Responding to Kailahun MPS, the Leader of government business in the Sierra Leone parliament, Hon Matthew Sahr Nyuma said the use of force to resolve Yenga is not in Sierra Leone’s domain of authority.

“We are working diplomacy to resolve the Yenga land dispute. We are sister countries with Guinea and Liberia and we will ensure that we broaden the bilateral ties between these countries,” he said.

The Leader of the opposition in Parliament, Hon Abdul Kargbo buttressed on the statement made by the Leader of government business, stating that diplomacy is the best option.

He cited the Israel and Palestine War where tens of thousands of people have died reckless due to land dispute.

“I am sure some of us that witness the senseless war in Sierra Leone will not want a repeat of such. Let us explore diplomatic avenue to solve the problem,” opposition leader asserted.

The Female SLPP MP from Moyamba district who acts as Speaker of parliament, Veronica Kadie Sesay thanked the MPs for raising the issues of Yenga, adding that the diplomatic option should be explore to ensure sanity.

“We will continue to raise the issue at the international fora for intervention in resolving the dispute diplomatically,” she asserted.