In a positive turn towards diplomatic relations, Guinea has released 16 soldiers and police officers from Sierra Leone who were arrested while constructing a border installation at Kaliyereh, a town on the border between the two countries. The information ministry of Sierra Leone announced the news on social media, indicating that all arrested personnel were safely handed over. The incident occurred after Guinean armed forces apprehended the security officers, claiming they had crossed into Guinea without authorization.

The Guinean government cited the unauthorized entry of several armed Sierra Leonean soldiers as the reason for the arrests, emphasizing the need to maintain border security. On Thursday, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah expressed a commitment to resolving the matter promptly and through diplomatic channels, highlighting the importance of bilateral cooperation and dialogue between the two neighboring nations.

The historically sensitive nature of the territorial disputes between Sierra Leone and Guinea, rooted in conflicts that date back to Sierra Leone's civil war, has heightened tensions in the region. Both countries have commitments to peaceful resolutions; hence the rapid resolution of this incident is seen as a crucial step in enhancing stability along their shared 700-kilometer border, which has faced challenges in the past due to territorial and security issues.