By Solomon T. Gaye Sr.
All further probes into the Fred Suah, Jabateh and the Donzo families’ land dispute have been suspended with immediate effect in Nimba County.
Speaking to this paper in Ganta, Fred Suah expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged failure of President George Manneh Weah to meet with the land dispute parties in Ganta, Nimba County.
Mr. Suah frowned at the Presidential Land Dispute Committee for allegedly playing a double game by not telling President Weah the true story regarding the outcome of its investigation.
According to the Suah family, the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled in favor of the Donzo family, but because of President Weah’s respect, he agreed to smoke peace pipe with the parties for the sake of peace.
Suah frustratingly reiterated how the Presidential Land Dispute Committee headed by the MIA Minister, Varney Sirleaf is dominated by Muslims and that it is this Muslim solidarity that is gradually taking over the entire investigation which is creating serious concern among the parties.
Since the recapture of Ganta by the government forces in 2003 from the former defunct LURD rebels, three families have been claiming ownership over a parcel of land situated around the Dompa Field which led to President Weah setting up of a Land Dispute Committee to find a common ground and report to him in three months, but the three months have turned into one year two months without words from the committee or the President to the parties.
During the visit of the President in Nimba recently, the disputed parties were informed that President Weah would officially meet with them in separate meetings but behind closed doors in an apparent effort to lay the case to rest but that strategy was again postponed to July 16, 2022.
However, on July 16, 2022, the Presidential Land Dispute Committee abruptly announced the suspension of all probes into the land dispute for time indefinite.
Since the pronouncement by the Presidential Land Dispute Committee to meet with parties in Ganta, youths from the Muslim ethnic group have been threatening to oppose any decision by the Committees on grounds that the area in question is their birth-right.
Speaking to Radio Voice of Gompa, the Muslim youths revealed that because of the case, Muslims from around the 15 counties of Liberia and Guinea are expected to be in Ganta to witness the case.
During President Weah’s visit in Nimba, Mayor Amos G. Suah appealed to President Weah to settle all land disputes in the county before leaving for Monrovia.
When this paper contacted Senator Prince Yormie Johnson via mobile phone, he confirmed the suspension of all activities of the land dispute case among the three parties for allege threats by Muslims youths of bringing in 500 men from Guinea to witness the case.
Senator Johnson added that plan is underway to meet with parties of the disputed land soon in the county.
In 2021, the 8th Judiciary Circuit Court backed by the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled in favor of the Suah family as the legitimate owner of the disputed land on the Dumps Field including all properties in line with the Constitution of Liberia.
The Court’s decision led to the setting ablaze of a ware house in the area by people believed to be from the Muslim communities which led to the deployment of ERU Police officers in Ganta on the order of the Ministry of Justice to restore law and order.
