This revised article was first published in March, 2003. The primary focus was to urge the government at the time to seriously consider and address the following issues:
A-BORDER SECURITY AND DEFENCE MONITORING
B-BORDER IMMIGRATION CONTROL
C- BORDER CUSTOMS AND MONITORING
However it turned out no positive action was taken to address the issue. Taking recent reports and complaints relating to the perennial challenges of the very porous state of our country’s borders, particularly along the Northern and South Eastern axis, it is imperative that the present government makes a proactive intervention into the matter.
It has been disclosed that there exists about 100 such border crossing points, randomly classified as MANNED, UNMANNED, UNRECOGNISED OR UNKNOWN locations.
As alarming as it can be imagined, certain detailed information seem to be concealed and referred to as ‘’SECURITY CONCERNS’’
The territory of Sierra Leone and her borders are adequately described in CAP 1 SECTION 1 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (ACT NO.6 of 1991). Those territorial boundaries were established based on Agreements and Conventions made between the ANGLO-FRENCH BOUNDARY COMMISSION 1895 for the SIERRA LEONE/GUINEA BOUNDARY, on the one hand, and the ANGLO/LIBERIAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION 1911 for the SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA BOUNDARY, on the other. Those borders were demarcated, monumented and marked by physical structures in the form of cairns, boundary pillars, beacons or anthills that were easily identifiable throughout the land. Where there are rivers, the boundary follows either the banks or the thalwegs of those rivers.
It is therefore extremely essential that State Security and even indigenous inhabitants of those locations/areas must be fully aware and acquainted with the locations and position of such important territorial boundary marks separating our state and our immediate neighboring states. Such knowledge would serve to enhance a very effective, efficient and robust Security System once established.
The upsurge, in cross border movements of refuges/returnees from Liberia, experienced during and soon after the war, coupled with the unjustified claim of portions of our territory by Guinean troops, were real causes for concern.
The environs of Pamelap in the Kambia District, Yenga, Koindu, and Buedu in Kailahun District, Daresalam, Sulima and Gendema in the Pujehun District are glaring examples of border insecurity and vulnerability.
These locations are prone to developing into foreign enclaves if we fail to adequately protect them.
The enactment of the National Security and Central Intelligence Act No 10 of 2002 provides for both internal and external security of Sierra Leone and other related matters. Section 2 (1) and 6 (1) of the Act makes provision for the establishment of a National Security Council and an Office of National Security.
However, despite recent amendments to the Act one is of the view that issues of border security and vulnerability have yet to be carefully addressed. Territorial security matters must not be left to mere initiative and discretion but must be supported by relevant legislations and timely actions.
There are in existence some 46 coastal and land border chiefdoms together with the urban and rural environs of the Western Area, assuming a strategic arrangement surrounding the country.
With these natural arrangements, the internal administrative areas could be readily transformed into a permanent, viable and sustainable STARATEGIC BORDER SURVEILLANCING ZONE all around the country. (See attached map)
It was reported that the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs recently conducted a visit to border towns and similar settlements for on-the-spot assessment of the real security situation on the ground. I congratulate and commend him for such an initiative and foresight in the right direction which I also share with him. It is hoped that his official report on the visit would help to generate a keen interest in the New Direction Government to take appropriate action to mitigate our dwindling socio-political and economic plight in the foreseeable future.
The perceived solution to the problem highlighted in this article would be the creation of a NATIONAL TERRITORIAL BOUNDARY AUTHORITY OR AGENCY that would cooperate with existing security committees but with direct responsibility for our border. Its role is considered quite unique and distinct from the general functions and responsibilities of the existing functionaries.
Some Key Activities of the Authority
- Visit and inspect the entire stretch or sections of the border followed by periodic reports as considered necessary.
- Formulate policies, plans and programmes to ensure smooth performance of duties
- Identify, demarcate and replace missing boundary marks along the border
- Recruit, train and deploy border patrol/surveillance guards to various locations
- Ensure constant, permanent border patrols along the border and coast line.
- Coordinate the operation of the Authority with other existing security functionaries.
I have pleasure in resubmitting this proposal, hoping it would contribute to our National Development aspiration in due course.
By J.B. COLE-DAVIES CO
Consulting Cartographer/Map Editor
November 2018
Tel: 025 230079/ 080-951519