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Posted May 22, 2006
End Tribal Conflict In Nimba County
News of dissension over
properties and land in northern Liberia continues to come in almost on a
daily basis. The conflict among the three ethnic groups changes face from
day to day. Latest reports from the county say ex-combatants and some
residents are resulting to taking up deadly weapons such as cutlasses,
knives, and sticks.
The conflict, because it is
not taken seriously, continues to widen the gap already between the
Mandingos and the Gios and Manos. Furthermore, not only does the conflict
seem to threaten the co-existence of these tribes, it has the capability to
derail the reconciliatory effort in the entire country.
According to reports from
Nimba since the civil war ceased, members of the Mandingo ethnic tribe have
decided to return to their native county, Nimba. They are retuning home to
recondition their properties as part of their efforts towards reconstruction
and reconciliation. However, reports from that county indicate that some Gio
and Mano elements are unfriendly towards their Mandingo brothers and
sisters, especially refusing to allow them access to their properties.
The report about Gio-Mano’s
unfriendly approach towards the Mandingos was addressed in a series of
reconciliation talks among the three groups, but still did not yield the
desired results. Former Nimba County Superintendent Harrison Karnwea at one
time, appealed to the Gios and Manos to turn over properties belonging to
Mandingos.
Nimba County Senator Prince
Y. Johnson spoke against the occupation of properties belonging to Mandingo
people. All of the abovementioned appeals are indicators of the root cause
of the upheaval in Nimba right now.
To solve a
conflict such as the one in Nimba County, county and national officials must
first find the root cause of the conflict, instead of trying to quell the
outcome of the conflict. The root cause of the conflict in Nimba County lies
in the refusal of Manos and Gios to relinquish land and properties to the
rightful owners. It has been reported over and over that members of the
Mandingo ethnic group have been denied the right to their properties.
According to Chapter III
under fundamental rights of our constitution, Article II a. The right to
life, liberty, security and property must be protected at all times.
Therefore, the county and
national government officials must take the conflict in Nimba very seriously
by putting the right where it belongs. All well-meaning Liberians,
regardless of ethnicity, must speak out to help bring the situation under
control. Our Gio and Mano brothers and sisters must appeal for a peaceful
co-existence among the Gios, Manos and Mandingos. And most importantly, let
the root cause of the conflict be addressed properly. Let the rule of law
under our dynamic constitution prevail over individualism.
Writes, Thomas Kai Toteh
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