Tensions between Guinea and Sierra Leone continue to escalate as reports indicate that the Guinean junta government is intensifying its crackdown on Sierra Leoneans residing in Guinea.
Sources from Conakry, the Guinean capital, revealed that on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, police and military officers dispatched seven trucks loaded with armed security forces to arrest Sierra Leoneans across the city.
This operation, initially focused on specific areas heavily populated by Sierra Leoneans, has reportedly expanded to other locations. According to eyewitness accounts, Guinean security personnel have indiscriminately arrested Sierra Leoneans, often without verifying whether they possess authentic legal documentation.
The widespread arrests have left many Sierra Leoneans in Guinea vulnerable, leading to loss of property and livelihoods, an issue that has raised significant concerns among both Sierra Leonean citizens and their government.
In response to the growing tension, Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Morissanda Kouyaté, visited Sierra Leone on December 17, 2024, as a special envoy of junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya.
Minister Kouyaté conveyed a message to President Julius Maada Bio regarding the deportation of thousands of Sierra Leoneans from Guinea. However, the details of this message remain unclear, and Sierra Leoneans are calling for immediate action to address the crisis.
On December 16, 2024, the Fullah Progressive Union in Sierra Leone issued a press release condemning Sierra Leone’s state security forces for arresting members of the Fullah community.
Public opinion suggests these arrests may be retaliatory, following the mass deportations of Sierra Leoneans from Guinea. However, the spokesperson for Sierra Leone’s state security denied targeting any specific ethnic group, stating that their operations are aimed at all foreigners without proper identification.
The arrests and deportations have drawn the attention of international organizations and regional bodies.
Sierra Leoneans are urging the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Mano River Union to mediate before the situation spirals further out of control.
As tensions mount, the economic and social impact of these actions on both Sierra Leoneans in Guinea and Fullahs in Sierra Leone is becoming increasingly severe. Businesses have been disrupted, families displaced, and ethnic tensions inflamed.
Both governments are being urged to engage in diplomatic dialogue and uphold human rights to ensure peace and stability in the region.
This developing crisis underscores the need for swift intervention by regional and international bodies to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of citizens on both sides of the border.
