Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow on Wednesday received a delegation of Alkalos from various Manjago communities at the State House, amid renewed tensions over land ownership disputes affecting parts of Kombo South.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of a recent protest in Pacholling Village within the Manjago community, where residents on Sunday, April 19, 2026, demonstrated against what they described as an unlawful land dispute involving former Drug Law Enforcement Agency director Karamo Bojang. The protesters alleged that cashew farms cultivated for decades had been destroyed.
During the protest, residents displayed documents they said support their ownership claims and called for an immediate halt to alleged land sales, alongside urgent government intervention to address the situation.
President Barrow discussing with Manjago community leaders
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Davide C. Gomez, Alkalo of Fallah, underscored the persistence of land disputes across Manjago communities, warning that such conflicts continue to disrupt social harmony and threaten livelihoods.
He stressed the importance of sustained engagement with authorities to secure lasting and peaceful resolutions.
The concerns raised also echo past tensions involving the Manjago community. In 2018, members of the Manjago community in Taneneh reported that a bulldozer destroyed graves believed to be decades old on a disputed plot of land acquired and fenced by one Seedou Barrow. Although that dispute was eventually resolved amicably, it left divisions among residents.
Responding to the delegation, President Barrow urged restraint among affected communities and emphasized the need for proper land documentation as a safeguard against recurring disputes. He assured the Alkalos of the government’s commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to find durable solutions and maintain stability.
The delegation expressed gratitude for the audience, noting that the engagement provided an important opportunity to present their concerns directly and contribute to efforts aimed at preserving peace and cohesion within their communities.
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