By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter, D.S.
In a revealing interview with Alie Kabba, the chief of the Yenga Community detailed the harrowing experiences faced by residents due to aggressive actions by Guinean soldiers. The chief recounted how the soldiers’ hostility forced him to advise his community to abandon their belongings and seek refuge in Koindu.
“The Guinean soldiers were aggressive, threatening our safety. As a leader, I had no choice but to instruct my people to leave everything behind and find safety here in Koindu,” Kabba explained.
During his visit to Yenga, Kabba engaged directly with displaced residents, assessing the tense situation exacerbated by the actions of the Guinean military. His visit is part of ongoing efforts by various Sierra Leonean leaders to address the conflict surrounding the Yenga territory.
While meeting with stakeholders in Koindu, displaced residents expressed their gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for food aid but voiced a deep desire to return home. “We sleep on bare floors here, and our water well is open and unsafe. There is no way to live,” one resident lamented. “Yenga is our home, and we want to go back.”
Moved by their plight, Kabba took immediate action to improve living conditions for the displaced families. He arranged for safer temporary housing, allocated land for farming, and provided financial assistance to alleviate their hardships. “No Sierra Leonean should live in fear or deprivation. Until Yenga is fully restored to its rightful owners, we must ensure our people are cared for,” Kabba stated.
Refusing to rely solely on secondhand accounts, Kabba traveled directly to Yenga to witness the situation firsthand. His presence in the occupied territory conveyed a powerful message: Sierra Leone will not relent in its efforts to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Kabba’s recent visit underscores the urgent need for diplomatic and political solutions to the Yenga crisis. This territory belongs to Sierra Leone, and its citizens deserve peace and security. Kabba emphasized a commitment to amplifying their voices at every level until justice is achieved.
As the displaced residents of Yenga cling to hope, Kabba’s intervention serves as a poignant reminder that their struggle remains in collective consciousness. The fight for their rightful return home will persist until Yenga is unconditionally reclaimed by Sierra Leone.
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