For years, Liberians have echoed the principle that “Liberia is a country of law, not of men.” It was a powerful slogan for those resisting war, impunity, and political excess. Yet today, the persistence of land disputes across the country challenges that very principle. Its painful consequences – depending on victims’ and perpetrators’ identity and status — are often ignored, or attempts at resolving them are merely halfhearted. This attitude stifles the rules of law and undermines tolerance, peace and coexistence.
By Mohamed M. Komara, contributing writer
Unarguably, resentments thrive when there is repeated denial to justice. Unaddressed grievances—especially those involving land—fuel conflict and undermine national stability. Institutions and leaders that fail to act promptly invite chaos, and Liberia has seen too much of that already.
The call for accountability, including demands for war and economic crimes prosecution, emerged from citizens’ determination to strengthen the rule of law. That call still stands. But one major test of Liberia’s commitment to fairness and reconciliation is the increasing frequency of land conflicts nationwide.
During the civil war, land grabbing became widespread. Many expected that in the post-war era—after four peaceful elections and three democratic transfers of power—justice and order would prevail. Instead, manipulation of courts, political interference, ethnic mobilization, and outright fraud continue to fuel land disputes.
A recent example is the Paynesville land conflict, where two families and their supporters remain locked in confrontation. Yet such disputes can be resolved easily through proper land surveys, verification of deeds, and transparent due diligence. Why then do they persist?
Some land conflicts are remnants of the war; others are manufactured for personal gain. But none is beyond resolution—if the government has the will to address them.
Towards this end, Liberia has taken steps by establishing the Liberia Land Authority (LLA). A similar model proved successful in post-war Germany, where a Restitution Commission meticulously collected property information, verified rightful owners, and returned properties without political, ethnic, or religious bias. Where ownership could not be determined, the government—not private actors—held the property until a legitimate claimant appeared.
The lesson is clear: truth and justice are the foundations of lasting peace. Leaders must understand the facts, examine the roles of victims and perpetrators, and be patriotic enough and willing to deliver impartial decisions. Citizens and their leaders cannot be in evil alliance against peace and justice!
Could Liberia’s long-standing land sagas, such as the ones in Nimba and other places, have been resolved had such an approach been applied earlier? The Rescue Government now faces this among its many daunting challenges. Addressing it will deter impunity; ignoring it will signal to opportunists that land grabbing carries no consequences, business as usual.
Justice rests on three pillars: punishment, restitution, and reconciliation. When political interests crush these pillars, it breeds broken hearts abound, mistrust and lawlessness follows. Liberia’s checkered history limped through intermittent, if not, incessant “crises of identity” and “crises of participation.”
As such, Liberians — more than many other peoples — should beware of the dangers of ethno politico grievances that are formed by longstanding collective deprivation and injustice. The negative consequences of our historical divide-and-rule and the damaging influence it exercised on the ethos of our society still stare us in the face. Faulty lines in history and, especially of a contentious human society, need correction, not escalation, or else we will continue to chase shadows, not solutions.
The Liberia Land Authority must therefore take decisive action. Citizens should be educated on proper land acquisition procedures. Surveyors who facilitate fraudulent land sales should face prosecution and license revocation. Fraudulent sellers must refund victims, pay fines, and serve meaningful jail time. The LLA cannot adopt a posture of indifference.
The Rescue Government, under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, can bring together key institutions to pursue solutions with diligence and integrity. Lawyers, religious leaders, and community groups must all be part of this push.
Faith-based organizations in particular have an important role. Churches and mosques can strengthen grievance committees to mediate disputes before they escalate. Litigation should be a last resort. Both Christianity and Islam condemn land theft and urge believers to seek peaceful resolution.
A hint to my coreligionists, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against unjust land seizure: “Whoever usurps even one span of land, it will encircle his neck on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2453)
The Qur’an also cautions against hastily spreading information and encourages referring disputes to legitimate authorities (Qur’an 4:83). So, it is our legitimate spiritual authorities who are our first contacts — not the courts, social or conventional media. Furthermore, the Qur’an stresses that true believers submit wholeheartedly to just decisions (Qur’an 4:65). Submitting to just decisions proves the worth of the faith and moral rectitude of a believer.
Our religious teachings guide us toward fairness, truth, and reconciliation. But they require sincerity—from leaders and citizens alike. Moral discipline in our parliament; courts, private and public offices, and in our marketplaces is the true measure of profession of faith.
If we are to break the cycle of land conflict, Liberia must recommit to justice, accountability, and principled leadership. Anything less endangers our acceptance for the rules of law, peace and justice.
About the Author
Mohamed M. Komara is a former Special Assistant at the erstwhile National Reconciliation and Reunification Commission; former member of the Peace Building Team of the Interreligious Council of Liberia; former Research Officer at the TRC-Liberia; former Managing Editor of Public Agenda newspaper; former Station Manager of Radio Alfalaah 95.1 FM; and former Chief of Staff to the Standard Bearer of ALCOP.
