…. As They Join Effort at Regional Level to Protect their Customary Lands

IPNEWS: People of the southeastern region of Liberia comprising of [Grand Gedeh, RiverGee, Sinoe, RiverCess, Grand Kru and Maryland counties] like other counties across Liberia, struggled with the unclear boundaries and rights surrounding their ancestral lands prior to the passage of the 2018 Land Rights Act (LRA).

Before the LRA, Liberia’s land tenure system was heavily influenced by ancient and colonial practices. This created a division between the land rights of indigenous Liberians and settlers. Land ownership was divided between statutory [government-registered] and customary [community-recognized] rights. Many indigenous communities relied on customary land tenure systems, which often went unrecognized by formal legal frameworks.

Overlapping claims, lack of clarity in ownership, and the absence of documentation heavily contributed to land disputes and conflicts. They were often worsened by political and ethnic tensions. Companies frequently exploited land for agriculture, mining, and logging without adequate consultation and involvement of local communities, leading to conflict and resistance. The absence of a comprehensive legal framework made it difficult for communities to declare their rights over land, often leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

But a new dawn arrived when the much-anticipated and the most progressive Land Rights Act (LRA) was passed in 2018. The LRA aims to address these persistent issues by recognizing customary land rights and providing a framework for land tenure that respects the rights of local communities.

Customary communities now have legal security and protection over their customary lands as enshrined in the Law. The law also provides that actualization of the bundle of rights will be implemented and enforced by the Community Land Development Management Committees (CLDMCs) which is the governance body of the land and natural resources that is collectively established by the community.

Article 36 of the LRA gives authority to members of a community acting collectively as the highest decision making body with several key responsibilities including establishment of the CLDMC. In adherence to the LRA, the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and other civil society organizations, Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and non-governmental institutions with support from partners and donors have been working with customary land-owning communities in southeastern Liberia to document their customary lands through implementation of the Customary Land Formalization (CLF) –  which steps include Self-Identify, governance formation/CLDMC, boundary harmonization and land conflict negotiations, mapping, etc.

The SDI and other institutions working in the land sector are working to build the capacity of the over 70 CLDMCs in the six counties of the region in accountable management of the customary lands. Women and youth are placed at the center of these CLF and governance capacity building and activities since 2016.

To ensure that the CLDMCs operate under a well-defined and structured system, the SDI and the Civil Society Organizations Working Group on Land Rights Reform (CSOWGLRR) in collaboration with LLA, NGOs, local authorities established the first regional network of CLDMCs in the country. The network is expected to amongst responsibilities to advocate for collective and inclusive governance of customary lands, mobilize resources for capacity building of the CLDMCs and lobby for equal benefit of natural resources and land. The Southeast Regional Network of the Community Land Development and Management Committee (SRNCLDMC) comprises counties of Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland, Rivercess, Rivergee, and Sinoe counties.

During the two days’ gathering of the CLDMCs leaders, traditional leaders and local authorities in Yarpah Town, RiverCess County from September 16 – 17, 2024, some key officials of the CLDMCs narrated how they have been influential in driving impactful changes within their communities, preserving precious natural resources and establishing a foundation for promoting sustainable customary land management and conversation activities in their communities.

According to the CLDMC leaders, they are fostering positive relationships with and between local authorities and officials, exceeding traditional boundaries to work hand in hand towards achieving a collective goal in advancing the community’s interest.

Madam Decontee Z. Flahn, Chairperson of CLDMC of Jardeboe Community in Grand Gedeh County couldn’t hold back her joy narrated “SDI told us that the communities should agree before doing their work during our self-identification process. My colleagues CLDMC leaders, you have to be submissive to the elders and not because we are educated it means we should refuse to bring ourselves down. On another hand, we have to make reports to the communities and their heads because they put you there.  The elders, for me they don’t have problems, just bring yourself down.”

Nathaniel S. Toquie, Chairperson of the Tartuken Community, Suaken Jarboken Clan in RiverGee County said “In May 2024, a concession company entered in Tartuken District to do exploration of gold. I carried my community Self-identification Certificate issued by the LLA to the company. I told them despite your document, we have the CLDMC here and I am the chairperson and this is the certificate that was given to us to manage this land so you should listen to us. After they were hesitating to engage with us CLDMC, I called the County Superintendent and he sent a representative that we jointly brought the machine out of the bush. They carried that machine back to Monrovia.” As a result of our intervention, the company left the forest and stopped the so-called investment.

Relevance B. C. Zeon from Gbarzon District, Grand Gedeh County said “Because of our advocacy for our land, they call me enemy because I want the right things to be done. I don’t care, I am defending my land. The community people are behind us.”

Sylvester M. Y. Howard from Youklew, Maryland County added “People were selling Big Town customary lands and we stopped them and now Big Town has their land with them.”

Solomon G. Tugba of Sokpaken, Big J. Clan said “We who come up as young people need to work with our elders to know our customary land boundaries. We should also make our people know that our community is a rich land. Therefore, we should do everything to keep it safe and productive. Through SDI, we are appealing to the community people to respect us because they elected us. With the help of SDI, I say let’s work for our communities.”
Exceedingly excited, the Coordinator of the Community Land Protection Program (CLPP) at the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), Mr. Daniel B. Wehyee said the success of these CLDMCs serves as an emotional reminder of the power of grassroots engagements and community-driven initiatives in shaping a brighter future for all.

The land governance expert said the dedication, resilience, and joint efforts of these CLDMCs stand as a testimony to the transformative impact that committed individuals can have on their surroundings, inspiring hope and driving positive change on a local and national levels. He commended the RRI for supporting the effort that led the establishment of the first ever Regional Network of the CLDMC. He recounted cooperation that his team received from other institutions and LLA during gathering of data for creation of the CLDMCs directory used in the elections. He launched a special appeal to both national government and partners to ensure the process is replicated across all regions of the country and also provide tangible support for the advancement of the network.  LRA Land Administrator in RiverCess County commended the SDI and partners for the works they are doing for the communities and pledged the LLA unflinching support.

The Leadership of SRNCLDMC wishes to extend many thanks appreciations to the Rights and Resource Initiative (RRI) for supporting SDI and the CSO Working Group. The support has helped us to have first of its kind the umbrella organization for the community land governance in the country, said the newly elected Chairperson of the Network.