Concerned about growing tensions along the frontiers of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, the Economic Community of West African States has called on the participating nations to exhibit moderation and settle their concerns amicably.
The regional bloc said in a statement released on Friday that it was keeping a careful eye on the situation and has made the decision to send out a technical assessment mission to check developments along the contentious Yenga.
The Commission claims that the action comes in response to mounting worries about tensions between Guinea and Sierra Leone in the Yenga border region, which has long been delicate because of past territorial disputes.
Additionally, ECOWAS observed that the situation had become more complicated due to recent events near the Lofa County border between Guinea and Liberia, which led the Commission to broaden the geographic area of its assessment mission.
According to the organization, the extended mandate would enable it to carry out a thorough assessment of future and existing points of contention within the Mano River Basin, an area recognized for its history of cooperation and cross-border disputes among the three neighboring nations.
According to the statement, “the ECOWAS Commission is deploying a technical assessment mission to evaluate the situation between Guinea and Sierra Leone in the Yenga border area.”
It further stated that in an effort to learn more and reduce tensions in the area, the Commission has also started diplomatic contacts with the impacted nations.
All of the participating nations were asked by ECOWAS to display the utmost moderation and take prompt action to defuse the situation.
The Commission also urged the countries to prioritize communication through diplomatic channels enabled by ECOWAS, respect internationally recognized borders, and refrain from taking unilateral acts that would jeopardize bilateral relations.
In order to foster collaboration and guarantee long-term peace and stability in the Mano River Basin, the regional organization reiterated its dedication to collaborating closely with the authorities of the impacted nations.
The Commission notes that ECOWAS is still committed to promoting respect, communication, and peaceful cohabitation among its member nations for the benefit of West African residents.
