By: J. Saye Suah
Barclayville, February 18, 2025 – A heated land dispute between the Wedabo Zoloken and Gblebo Trehn communities in Grand Kru County has prompted the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) Grand Kru Chapter Administrator, David Togba, to call for calm.
In a telephone interview on Monday, February 17, 2025, Administrator Togba explained that the disputed land was initially investigated in 1970 under then-Superintendent Francis Nyemah. A buffer zone was established to prevent further farming activities by both communities pending a formal government intervention to legally establish the boundary.
Togba recounted that the conflict resurfaced in 2013 when the Zoloken community allegedly attempted to offer the disputed area to GVL, a multinational concession company operating in Grand Kru County. The LLA, in partnership with stakeholders, intervened to restore peace, but the conflict persisted.
He revealed that during the establishment of the buffer zone, the “Negeele” creek was recognized by both communities as their boundary. He expressed concern that one community’s disregard for this established stopping point undermines government peace initiatives in the county.
Togba reported that the recent escalation of the dispute involved gunfire, the burning of houses, and severe injuries to several community members. He described the situation as frustrating and confirmed that the Liberia National Police are investigating the criminal aspects of the conflict, while the LLA and county leadership will jointly conduct boundary demarcation.
The Land Administrator announced that his office will convene a dialogue with the traditional leaders of both towns at the County Administrative Building soon after the police complete their preliminary investigations.
Togba expressed shock at reports of community members possessing guns and other deadly weapons, questioning how they acquired such weapons, which he thought were only permitted for hunting with proper registration. He emphasized that such possession does not bode well for the county’s peace and development efforts.
He urged the Gblebo and Zoloken communities to respect the Negeele Creek as their temporary boundary while investigations are underway. “There is no specific stopping point between them, but they discussed at first and declared the creek in question as the demarcation,” he stated, adding, “The problem with the two communities [is that] they don’t regard their stopping point identified.”
Togba concluded by emphasizing that resolving the boundary dispute requires a collective approach involving citizens and the central government, through the LLA, to find amicable solutions to land crises in rural communities, particularly the increasing number of customary land disputes.
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