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Tension Mounts in Yenga

Standard Times (Freetown)
ANALYSIS
July 9, 2004
Posted to the web July 9, 2004

By Elongima Masuba

Tension is once again reported to be mounting in Yenga, the contested village
lying on the border between Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Relationship between the people of the two communities are reportedly very
tense as Sierra Leoneans begin to manifest dismay at the apparent inability of
the authorities to settle the differences between the two countries over the
territory.
According to Standard Times sources close to the settlement, the attitude of
the Guinean troops who still maintain security there have not been very good as
many Sierra Leoneans complain of harassment and other forms of intimidation
that Sierra Leoneans are not accustomed to.
Also on many occasions, the people are made to feel like foreigners as they are
subjected to the harsh and sometimes inhuman interpretations of the law in
Guinea, when infact they are supposed to be under the jurisdiction of Sierra
Leone.
This situation has created a lot of tension in the town and surrounding areas,
as many have begun to wonder whether the government is actually serious about
the matter or simply buying time until something happens to move it into
action.
Many recall that the matter was nearly settled last year, as senior officials
met regularly to trash out the differences, which were never seen to be
intractable.
Why the matter has been allowed to lie dormant again is the question that is
baffling all that have been following the Yenga case.

   

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