FREETOWN, Feb 24 (Reuters) – Sierra Leone on Tuesday accused Guinea of capturing several members of its security forces, in the latest flare-up of a long-running row over border territory.
Guinea’s government didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The territorial dispute between the two West African countries dates back to Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war when Guinea deployed troops to help fight rebels.
In a statement posted on social media on Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s information ministry said army and police personnel were constructing a border post and another facility in the frontier town of Kaliyereh on Monday when members of Guinea’s armed forces arrived in the town.
The statement said that “several members of the joint security team, including an officer” were apprehended by Guinean forces who also seized arms and ammunition.
“Government is actively engaging through established diplomatic and security channels to confirm their location and secure their safe and unconditional release,” the statement said.
A team has been sent to the area to investigate the incident, it added.
(Reporting by Umaru Fofana and Guinea newsroom; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet, Alexandra Hudson)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.