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The Entente Cordiale and the Guinea–Sierra Leone Border: Colonial Diplomacy and Its Lasting Impact

by 

Mohamed Boye Jallo Jamboria

 

1. Introduction

At the dawn of the 20th century, imperial rivalries were reshaping the geopolitical map of Africa. The Entente Cordiale, signed on April 8, 1904, was a product of this turbulent period—a strategic alliance between France and Britain designed to ease tensions and clarify colonial claims. While primarily focused on larger global issues like Egypt and Morocco, one of its key outcomes in West Africa was the establishment of definitive borders between French Guinea and British Sierra Leone. This paper analyses the historical, strategic, and socio-cultural contexts surrounding the Guinea–Sierra Leone border. It traces how decisions made in European capitals without African participation have continued to affect the region's political and ethnic landscape into the 21st century.

 

2. Historical Background: British Expansion and Commerce

2.1. The Role of Miles Barber and the Slave Trade

In the mid-18th century, British merchants established themselves along the Guinea coast, driven by the transatlantic slave trade and commercial exploitation. A notable figure was Miles Barber, an English trader who 1755 set up a base on Kassa Island, part of the Îles de Los near present-day Conakry, Guinea (OpenEdition Journals, n.d.). This location allowed access to vital riverine and inland trade routes and became instrumental in British efforts to expand commerce in West Africa.

Barber's operation was emblematic of the broader British strategy, which relied heavily on partnerships with local African and Euro-African merchants. These relationships facilitated the acquisition of enslaved individuals in exchange for European goods such as textiles, firearms, and alcohol.

2.2. Informal Imperialism and Economic Dominance

Although Britain did not officially annexe regions like Boke or Conakry, its economic footprint created the impression of territorial control. This “informal empire” was maintained through trade dominance, missionary presence, and occasional military intervention, forming a soft power strategy that preceded formal colonisation (Wikipedia, n.d.).

 3. Geopolitical Importance of Futa Jallon

3.1. Control Over River Systems

The Futa Jallon highlands, inhabited by the Fula people, represented a critical geostrategic region due to their control over the headwaters of major rivers such as the Niger, Senegal, and Gambia (OpenEdition Journals, n.d.). Accessing these inland routes gave both Britain and France a significant advantage in penetrating deeper into West Africa's commercial and political heartlands.

3.2. Anglo-French Rivalries in the Sahel

As France expanded its reach from the north through Senegal and Mali, its southern advance into Guinea increasingly overlapped with British interests moving inland from Sierra Leone. The Futa Jallon became a theatre of imperial competition, with both powers signing conflicting treaties with local rulers to solidify their claims.

 4. Early Treaties and Border Delimitation

4.1. The 1882, 1889, and 1895 Agreements

Britain and France entered a series of treaties during the late 19th century to avoid conflict. They signed the most significant of these in 1882, 1889, and 1895. These agreements attempted to delineate the boundary between Sierra Leone and Guinea, primarily using the 10th parallel north as a reference (Wikipedia, n.d.).

These treaties, however, were vague and often contradictory. They left many issues unresolved, especially regarding the status of the Îles de Los and local African authority structures. This ambiguity set the stage for further diplomatic negotiation and eventual resolution through the Entente Cordiale.

 5. The Entente Cordiale: Background and Provisions

5.1. Global Scope, Local Impact

While primarily intended to prevent war in Europe, the Entente Cordiale was global in scope. It addressed several disputes: Britain acknowledged French claims in Morocco, while France accepted British dominance in Egypt (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). Additionally, the two powers exchanged control over territories in Newfoundland, Southeast Asia, and, crucially, West Africa.

5.2. The Cession of the Îles de Los

A major concession in West Africa was the British agreement to cede the Îles de Los to France. Britain had controlled these islands since 1818, using them as a naval and trade base. In exchange, France relinquished its claims in other regions, giving Britain unimpeded control over the Sierra Leone Protectorate (The Guardian, n.d.).

 6. Establishing the Border: 10th Parallel and Legal Clarity

6.1. Institutionalising Colonial Borders

The Entente Cordiale reaffirmed that the 10th parallel north would be used as a boundary for approximately 75 km before the border shifted southwards. This formal demarcation marked the transition from informal economic influence to codified sovereignty, enabling both colonial powers to administer their territories without fear of overlapping claims.

6.2. Practical Challenges of Border Enforcement

Straight-line borders drawn in European negotiations often cut through ethnically and culturally homogeneous communities. The Guinea–Sierra Leone boundary divided long-established social and trade networks, introducing administrative barriers that hindered mobility, commerce, and kinship.

 7. Administrative Implications for Colonial Governance

7.1. Benefits for British and French Authorities

With clarified borders, colonial administrations could more effectively govern. The process included establishing border checkpoints, enforcing tax regimes, and deploying law enforcement. It also allowed for the standardisation of judicial systems and the establishment of missionary schools and churches within the colonial framework.

7.2. The Disruption of Local Autonomy

Colonial control, legitimised by treaties like the Entente Cordiale, weakened the political autonomy of local African rulers. Traditional governance structures were subordinated to colonial interests, and indigenous authorities were increasingly viewed as administrative functionaries rather than sovereign actors.

 8. Exclusion of African Voices and Consequences

8.1. Colonial Decisions Made in European Capitals

The lack of African representation in the negotiations of the Entente Cordiale exemplified the broader trend of paternalistic colonial governance. Communities affected by the territorial reconfigurations were unconcerned and had no recourse to oppose the changes imposed upon them.

8.2. Long-Term Sociopolitical Fragmentation

Disregarding local realities resulted in divided ethnic groups and disrupted trade routes. These divisions continue to affect cross-border relations today, contributing to tensions over resource access, political representation, and migration.

 9. Post-Colonial Continuities and Border Legacy

9.1. Retention of Colonial Borders After Independence

Following Guinea’s independence in 1958 and Sierra Leone’s in 1961, the borders defined by colonial treaties remained intact. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) later formalised this norm in 1964, calling for respect for inherited boundaries to prevent widespread territorial disputes.

9.2. Institutional and Cultural Divergences

While Guinea adopted French administrative and legal systems, Sierra Leone remained aligned with British institutions. These differences have complicated cross-border governance, trade policies, and migration protocols, underscoring the enduring legacy of colonial partitioning.

 10. Modern-Day Cross-Border Relations

10.1. Informal Trade and Social Ties

Despite the colonial border, communities on either side maintain close social, linguistic, and economic relations. Informal trade—particularly in foodstuffs, livestock, and artisanal goods—remains vibrant, with markets serving as interaction hubs.

 

10.2. Border Management Challenges

Issues such as smuggling, human trafficking, and disease outbreaks (e.g., Ebola) have highlighted the need for improved cross-border collaboration. International agencies and regional bodies have supported initiatives to formalise border infrastructure and encourage cooperation.

 11. The Broader Diplomatic Significance of the Entente

11.1. A Precursor to Allied Cooperation in WWI

The Entente Cordiale helped pave the way for Anglo-French collaboration during World War I. The two powers could focus on countering Germany's growing influence by resolving colonial disputes.

11.2. A Model for Future Colonial Agreements

The agreement became a template for imperial powers' negotiations of colonial arrangements. Other diplomatic accords replicated its success in reducing conflict, often at the expense of indigenous voices.

 12. Educational Value and Historical Awareness

12.1. Teaching the Entente Cordiale

Educating students on colonial agreements like the Entente Cordiale helps contextualise modern African borders and political systems. It also fosters a more critical understanding of how international law was historically applied unequally.

12.2. Centring Indigenous Narratives

Complementing academic histories with oral traditions and local accounts provides a more holistic understanding of the treaty’s impact. This pluralistic approach is essential for reconciliation and national identity formation.

 13. Conclusion

The Entente Cordiale represents a pivotal moment in the imperial history of West Africa. Though crafted to resolve disputes between two European powers, its consequences were most deeply felt in the African territories it divided. In defining the boundary between Guinea and Sierra Leone, the agreement set in motion a legacy of political, economic, and social challenges that continue to shape the region today. Understanding this legacy is critical for historical accuracy and navigating contemporary cross-border cooperation, governance, and development in West Africa.

 RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO ADDRESS YENGA ISSUES FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION

Begin by involving the ECOWAS, AU, and the International Court of Justice to pass an injunction on Guinea over the currently occupied territory. Then follow these steps over a year and a maximum of three years.

Sierra Leone’s Roadmap for Yenga

Phase	Purpose	Tools
1. Research & Mapping	Establish factual authority	Dossiers, maps, treaties
2. Legal Framing	Position diplomatically	ECOWAS, ICJ, AUBP
3. Local Integration	Ensure peace is rooted in people	Surveys, cultural mediation
4. Narrative Shaping	Build national and international support	Media, diaspora, publications
5. Evaluation	Adapt to change	Indexes, strategic meetings

References

• Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Entente Cordiale. https://www.britannica.com/event/Entente-Cordiale
• HISTORY. (n.d.). The Entente Cordiale was signed between England and France. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/entente-cordiale-signed
• OpenEdition Journals. (n.d.). British trade and influence in West Africa. https://journals.openedition.org/
• The Guardian. (n.d.). The real history behind the Entente Cordiale. https://www.theguardian.com/
• Wikipedia. (n.d.). History of the Guinea and Sierra Leone border. https://en.wikipedia.org/

About the Author

Mohamed Boye Jallo Jamboria is a Sierra Leonean geographer and development strategies consultant based in Norway. He served as a councillor for Lindås (now Alver) municipality from 2011 to 2018, contributing to local governance and community development. He is the founder and manager of ScanAfrik Forbundet (Org. No. 929 058 046), a registered non-profit association in Norway dedicated to empowering African communities locally and internationally. Based in Alversund, the organisation focuses on book writing to preserve African culture and heritage and community development initiatives in Sierra Leone, emphasising education, capacity building, and sustainable growth. These efforts foster cultural exchange and drive lasting socio-economic impact. 

Jamboria is also the author and host of the Redemption Broadcast Network, which promotes unity among the Sierra Leonean diaspora. His scholarly contributions include a chapter in The Diverse Facets of Corruption in Sierra Leone (Springer Nature) and Building a Nation (Amazon).

He is tentatively working on a book project titled The Audacity of Change, The Koya Kingdom, and the Mano River Union. This project explores the Social Anthropology of the Mano River Union, focusing on Sierra Leone’s epigenetics and DNA commonalities across different linguistic groups and aims to map the bloodlines and commonalities of the people of the Mano River Union and Sierra Leone.