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'Yenga Belongs to Sierra Leone' - Banda Thomas

Standard Times (Freetown)
NEWS
August 9, 2004
Posted to the web August 11, 2004

By Elongima Masuba

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. George Banda Thomas has disclosed in at
press briefing that the disputed Yenga belongs to Sierra Leone and sooner or
later the problem between these two friendly countries would be resolved.
Mr. Banda-Thomas said his visit to Guinea with Brigadier Kellie Conteh and the
coordinating officer for security was to discuss this very serious issue.
The minister further disclosed that they have agreed on several things with
both sides committing themselves to the implementation of the 1912 treaty and
the Annexed map dealing with the demarcation of the border between the two
countries.
They agreed that the boundary that falls on the left bank side is Sierra Leone
along the Makong River. They also agreed to visit the site, which will comprise
the security officials and technical staff.
The reason for this visit is to get first hand information from the people, as
they do complain that the Guineans have denied them their right to their land.
The minister further revealed that according to a video clip they sent to him,
the chiefs at Yenga and it's surrounding are forced by the Guinean troops to
pay tax whenever they cross to Guinea or back.
Another chief in the cassette disclosed that NGOs wanted to build houses for
them but were stopped by the Guineans, but the local people forced their way
into the land and built houses for themselves.
Mr. George Banda Thomas said the relationship between these countries is good;
the only problem is with Yenga where the people are complaining that Guineans
are not allowing them to farm on the land that belongs to them.
In the video clip the people expressed dismay over the luke-warm attitude of
the government, adding that they want this problem to be resolved at once so
they know who belongs where?
The minister concluded that he has hope, judging from the fact that the
documents favour Sierra Leone, although the Guineans are insisting that because
they have occupied that land for so long it belongs to their territory.
Mr. Thomas said he is going there to address the people's needs and concern and
that the government has not abandoned them.
He expressed hope that one day Guinea and Sierra Leone can put this whole issue
of land dispute at their back and increase their ties in developing the Mano
River Union.

   

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