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Nimba Land
Crisis Deepens, Squatters Defy Court Ruling Courtesy: Public Agenda News 24 February, 2010 Despite government order for squatters to vacate properties belonging to some members of the Mandingoe ethnic group in certain parts of Nimba County, the squatters remain adamant even in the face of court ruling. But owners of the premises have threatened to take the law into their own hands if government refuses to repossess their properties. In an interview with this paper over the weekend, some of the frustrated owners of the premises threatened to use traditional means to reacquire their properties. “This is our fathers’ land these people have been occupying for years. We are only residing in Monrovia but this is not our home. So if these people refuse to leave our land they should expect the worse traditional means from within days to come, I swear to Allah” a son of one of the owners who lost his father during the war said angrily. A letter emanating from the Ministry of Internal affairs dated February 18, 2008 warned that “their failure to vacate those premises will subject them to forced removal by Government” but it appears that the political will to implement the order is illusive. It can be recalled that one of the victims, Habib Sangary was amongst several victims that have filed a law suit on one of the squatters and the court ruled in his favor but since then, the squatter is still occupying his premises. In the case of the commercial city of Ganta alone, at lease 33 squatters were identified and given resettlement benefits as an inducement to vacate the premises but some still remain adamant requesting for more time. “Okay it is true that this place is not for us but where will we go if we leave. Our greatest fear is that when we leave there is no other place for us to sleep so let them give us more time” a squatter told Public Agenda Friday. In its February 18, 2008 letter from the Internal Affairs Ministry addressed to the City Mayor of Nimba County Mayor Nohn Tensonneh former Minister Ambulai B. Johnson amongst other things said “… the squatter’s rights given to individuals in Ganta has become problematic to the amicable resolution to land disputes in the City” He ordered the City Mayor to “revoke any and all squatter’s rights granted to any individuals with immediate effect” the City Mayor was told to advise the violators to beware of the consequences of their illegal stay on the premises. Responding, City Mayor Nohn Tensonneh said the all the squatters were informed that their squatter’s right would be revoked in light of the communication from Government. |
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