Guinea’s army confirmed Tuesday the arrest of sixteen Sierra Leonean soldiers following a border incident, escalating tensions between the two West African nations who have accused each other of military incursions.
The arrests occurred in a zone near the shared border, according to a statement released by the Guinean General Staff, reported by Africanews. Conakry alleges that the Sierra Leonean soldiers, armed, entered Guinean territory in the Koudaya district without authorization. They reportedly erected a tent and raised the Sierra Leonean flag before being apprehended by the Guinean military, who also seized their equipment.
Sierra Leone, although, maintains that Guinean forces crossed into its territory on Monday and detained members of a joint security team – comprising both military and police personnel, including one officer – while they were constructing a border post and accommodation center in Kalleyereh, Falaba district, approximately 360 kilometers from the capital, Freetown. According to a government communiqué, the Sierra Leonean team was working on building a border post and a support facility when the incursion occurred. The statement further claims that the Guinean forces seized weapons and ammunition belonging to the Sierra Leonean security personnel.
The incident marks a renewed strain in relations between the two countries, which share over 700 kilometers of border. Recurring territorial disputes have plagued the relationship since the Sierra Leone Civil War, which concluded in 2002.
Sierra Leone’s government has stated its preference for a diplomatic resolution to the dispute, actively engaging through established diplomatic and security channels to ascertain the location of the detained soldiers and secure their unconditional release. “The government is actively engaged, through established diplomatic and security channels, to confirm their location and to secure their unconditional release,” the Sierra Leonean government stated.
As of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Guinean authorities have yet to publicly respond to the allegations made by Sierra Leone. Anadolu Agency reported that Sierra Leone recalled its preference for a diplomatic solution on February 25, 2026.
