SiLNoRF Promotes Peace and Responsible Land Governance in Communities

By Abdul Kaprr Dumbuya

 “I realize one morning that a herd of cattle had eaten all my crops in my farm of cassava, pepper, sweet potatoes and groundnuts. This is very devastating for me as even my farm tools were also destroyed by the cattle. And the worse of it is that, no one paid any compensation to me, or even spoke to me words of consolation. This is the only source of livelihood for me and my children”, Fatmata Kargbo of Roshaka community, a single mother of three laments in tears. Fatmata’s predicament is a typical example of a critical situation that is rife among many communities in Bombali and Karene districts in the North and North-west of Sierra Leone. This situation often results in incidences of overt violence between peasant farmers and cattle rearers that sometimes claim the lives and properties of poor villagers.  

Land and other natural resources related conflicts are increasing considerably in the world, which has made the issue very topical. Natural resource, such as land, is becoming scary and thus raises a very high demand for industrial as well as agricultural purposes. Despite all attempts in formulating resource governance policies at global and national levels, resource conflicts at community level are still eminent which have extensive effects on people’s livelihood and thus, making them vulnerable to resist corporate capture.

Sierra Leone, as part of the global village, has been faced with numerous challenges over natural resource management especially relating to conflict between cattle owners and crops farmers. Bombali and Karene districts are two of the districts with prevailing conflict between the cattle owners and crops farmers. Series of reports have been recorded by the police, local authorities and other community stakeholders on these issues.

The Sierra Leone Network on the Right to Food (SiLNoRF), a member of the Civil Peace Service Network in Sierra Leone, is currently implementing a one-year project in both districts to promote peace and sustainable land governance and food security in Makarie and Sanda Taindaren chiefdoms in the targeted districts. In a view to resolve some of these conflicts the organisation, on 25^th and 26^th June 2024, organized community engagement meetings in three project communities namely; Romaro and Worreh Yeama in Makarie chiefdom, Bombali district, and Rosheka in Sanda Taindaren chiefdom, Karene district.

Both meetings had in attendance numerous other communities within the project locations in both districts. Specific categories of participants included land owners, crop farmers, cattle owners and rearers, local authorities and other community interest groups’ representatives.

The lead facilitator and Project Officer, Brima John Kargbo, used the Do No Harm approach and mediation techniques to help the participants harvest the issues and then chat the way forward towards a peaceful resolution. He worked with his colleagues and ensured that all parties consensually presented the staking issues which included destruction of crops by cattle and other farm animals without compensation, chiefs taking sides with cattle owners, alleged stealing of farm crops by cattle caretakers, local authorities allegedly not treating cases of women’s right to food with seriousness, and cattle owners allegedly not accepting wrong doing and taking responsibility thereof.

After several deliberations and contentions among participants, all parties agreed to resolve the issues peacefully. On the suggestion of the lead facilitator, they resolved to work together at a planned multi-stakeholder engagement meeting to amicably forge a permanent settlement to their age-long conflict.

Meanwhile, the chiefs and other local authorities expressed strong commitment to continue to work with SiLNoRF for a lasting solution to the existing strife in both districts.