Gunjur and Berending are neighboring villages in Kombo South. They've been fighting over a piece of land for a long time. The argument is heating up again. Both sides recently held press conferences. Each one says the disputed land belongs to them.
Seven years ago, the two communities actually clashed over this issue. Someone from Gunjur Jammeh Kunda died in the violence. His name was Buba Jammeh. After that, the government put together a special group to study the problem. They were supposed to suggest solutions.
The task force finished its work a while ago, but officials still haven't done most of its recommendations. For example, they advised creating a new boundary between the villages, which hasn't happened yet.
People in Branding met with reporters not long ago. They made it clear they're against any new borders. Their reasoning? The proposals came from a task force led by Buba Sanyang. He used to be the top official at the Lands Ministry, but he's originally from Gunjur, so the Berending residents say he can't be fair.
Ousman K Jammeh speaks for Berending's Village Development Committee (VDC). He explained they only have a problem with certain families in Gunjur. It's not the whole community. Jammeh pointed out that Berending already won three court cases over this land.
According to him, Kartong village gave the area to Berending. He showed maps to prove it. Jammeh claims some people in Gunjur keep trying to restart the case. But he says they've run out of legal options. The courts have been clear that the land isn't theirs.
On the other hand, Gunjur's leaders aren't happy. They believe the government is dragging its feet. Yesterday, they held their media event. Tijani Bojang chairs the village's VDC. He said they were very worried. Many of the task force suggestions still haven't happened. His group has followed up with officials plenty of times, he added.
Bojang accuses Berending of selling off chunks of the contested land. That's not supposed to occur. The government told everyone to leave the area alone for now. "We don't know how they are getting the documents," he said.
The Lands Ministry apparently told Gunjur that the disputed land belonged to them. Bojang argues the government just needs to make it official, but he doesn't think they're fully committed to doing that. His VDC has gone to the ministry over and over. First, they were told there wasn't money for new borders. Then officials promised to start the process in February, but Gunjur hasn't seen any action.
When asked about rumored threats from Berending, Bojang didn't hold back. "We are telling them the land in question belongs to us. That is what the government accepts, and that is what the law says. These people attacked us and killed one of our people. We are still distressed by that and so we will not sit and allow people to deal with our properties any way they want. Let the government act to avoid tension. Let them address the smoke before it turns to fire."
Bojang says a man named Buba Drammeh is the real troublemaker here. He claims Drammeh doesn't speak for all of Berending. According to Bojang, several different families in Gunjur have rights to the land - including Jammeh Kunda and Darboe Kunda. He argues that Berending has no authority over the area.
"We gave them our land for settlement, and if they want more land, they should come back to us and not tamper with our land on their own," Bojang warned.
Gunjur's top traditional leader called for everyone to stay calm. Alkalo Dembo Darboe doesn't want anyone taking matters into their own hands. He thinks they should wait for the government to handle their complaints. But Darboe is also frustrated. He's not pleased officials have taken so long to act on the task force's report.
"The delay is causing uncertainties for my people, that is why they convened this press conference to remind the government to do the needful to avoid further escalation," Alkalo Darboe said.
Seven years ago, the two communities actually clashed over this issue. Someone from Gunjur Jammeh Kunda died in the violence. His name was Buba Jammeh. After that, the government put together a special group to study the problem. They were supposed to suggest solutions.
The task force finished its work a while ago, but officials still haven't done most of its recommendations. For example, they advised creating a new boundary between the villages, which hasn't happened yet.
People in Branding met with reporters not long ago. They made it clear they're against any new borders. Their reasoning? The proposals came from a task force led by Buba Sanyang. He used to be the top official at the Lands Ministry, but he's originally from Gunjur, so the Berending residents say he can't be fair.
Ousman K Jammeh speaks for Berending's Village Development Committee (VDC). He explained they only have a problem with certain families in Gunjur. It's not the whole community. Jammeh pointed out that Berending already won three court cases over this land.
According to him, Kartong village gave the area to Berending. He showed maps to prove it. Jammeh claims some people in Gunjur keep trying to restart the case. But he says they've run out of legal options. The courts have been clear that the land isn't theirs.
On the other hand, Gunjur's leaders aren't happy. They believe the government is dragging its feet. Yesterday, they held their media event. Tijani Bojang chairs the village's VDC. He said they were very worried. Many of the task force suggestions still haven't happened. His group has followed up with officials plenty of times, he added.
Bojang accuses Berending of selling off chunks of the contested land. That's not supposed to occur. The government told everyone to leave the area alone for now. "We don't know how they are getting the documents," he said.
The Lands Ministry apparently told Gunjur that the disputed land belonged to them. Bojang argues the government just needs to make it official, but he doesn't think they're fully committed to doing that. His VDC has gone to the ministry over and over. First, they were told there wasn't money for new borders. Then officials promised to start the process in February, but Gunjur hasn't seen any action.
When asked about rumored threats from Berending, Bojang didn't hold back. "We are telling them the land in question belongs to us. That is what the government accepts, and that is what the law says. These people attacked us and killed one of our people. We are still distressed by that and so we will not sit and allow people to deal with our properties any way they want. Let the government act to avoid tension. Let them address the smoke before it turns to fire."
Bojang says a man named Buba Drammeh is the real troublemaker here. He claims Drammeh doesn't speak for all of Berending. According to Bojang, several different families in Gunjur have rights to the land - including Jammeh Kunda and Darboe Kunda. He argues that Berending has no authority over the area.
"We gave them our land for settlement, and if they want more land, they should come back to us and not tamper with our land on their own," Bojang warned.
Gunjur's top traditional leader called for everyone to stay calm. Alkalo Dembo Darboe doesn't want anyone taking matters into their own hands. He thinks they should wait for the government to handle their complaints. But Darboe is also frustrated. He's not pleased officials have taken so long to act on the task force's report.
"The delay is causing uncertainties for my people, that is why they convened this press conference to remind the government to do the needful to avoid further escalation," Alkalo Darboe said.
