A significant land dispute between the people of Kanaw and Lalo Badjie of Somita was officially suspended at the Foni Berefet District Tribunal on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. The tribunal halted proceedings amid serious allegations of interference by the Chief of Foni Berefet District, Alhagie Junkung Camara, an issue that has now prompted the Governor's office to launch a formal inquiry. This suspension marks a critical juncture in the long-standing disagreement over land ownership, effectively pausing all further actions until the inquiry concludes.
Mbemba Jarju, a senior panel member of the tribunal, made the public statement regarding the suspension. Jarju explicitly stated that the decision to suspend the hearing was made to ensure fairness and proper procedure, emphasizing the tribunal's commitment to upholding impartiality. Jarju further indicated that the tribunal would await formal guidance from the Governor’s inquiry before the case could proceed further, showing the gravity of the allegations and the need for external review. The immediate impact of this pause is a delay in resolving the complex and deeply rooted disagreement over land ownership, leaving both parties in a state of anticipation.
Kanaw Petition Details and Allegations
The catalyst for the tribunal’s suspension was a formal petition submitted by residents of Kanaw to the Governor of the West Coast Region. This full petition, dated 22 July 2026, meticulously outlines their profound concerns regarding the conduct of the land dispute hearing. The document was signed on behalf of the elders and concerned youth of Kanaw, signifying a broad community consensus behind the grievances raised. Central to the petition are allegations of improper interference in the proceedings by District Chief Alhagie Junkung Camara, which the community asserts compromised the integrity of the judicial process.
The petition describes the tribunal's practices as "improper trial practices," according to the document's precise wording. It further alleges that District Chief Camara repeatedly interrupted proceedings, creating an environment that the petitioners claim was not conducive to an impartial hearing. More specifically, the petition claims that Chief Camara privately directed tribunal members on how to frame questions and conduct the hearing, suggesting an undue influence over the judicial body. These alleged actions, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of judicial ethics and procedural fairness.
The Kanaw residents' petition includes several specific requests directed at the Governor. It asks the Governor to review the District Chief’s conduct in the matter, seeking an official investigation into the alleged interferences. The petition specifically requests that the Governor transfer the land dispute case to an unbiased judicial body, expressing a lack of confidence in the Foni Berefet District Tribunal's ability to proceed impartially under the current circumstances. This request notes the community's desire for a neutral arbiter to ensure a fair resolution. The petition also asks the Governor to protect the traditional land rights of Kanaw residents, emphasizing the community's deep connection to the disputed territory and their desire to preserve long-standing communal ownership. The petition itself does not make a determination regarding the veracity of the allegations against District Chief Alhagie Junkung Camara; rather, it presents the claims and requests an investigation and appropriate action.
Tribunal Proceedings and Chief's Response
The land dispute was scheduled for its third hearing on August 5, 2026, at the Foni Berefet District Tribunal. On that date, senior panel member Mbemba Jarju informed those present that the hearing would be suspended, directly linking the decision to the petition. Jarju’s statement indicated the suspension was a direct result of the petition submitted to the Governor's office, acknowledging the official nature of the complaint and the need for its investigation. The tribunal had been in the midst of its procedural steps, with plans to conduct a site inspection as part of its process. This inspection was intended to occur prior to the next scheduled hearing, to gather firsthand evidence related to the land boundaries and usage.
District Chief Alhagie Junkung Camara, when questioned about the suspension and the allegations, maintained a resolute stance. He stated that the hearing would proceed the following Wednesday, regardless of whether he had received a summons from the Governor’s office concerning the allegations against him. This assertion suggested a defiance of the suspension order and a belief that the tribunal's work should continue unimpeded. Chief Camara also observed a perceived inconsistency in the plaintiff’s claim during the proceedings. He noted that the plaintiff’s claim appeared to have shifted from an initial focus on farms, gardens, and a settlement area to instead encompass bush land, raising questions about the stability and clarity of the plaintiff's demands. His comments hinted at a potential strategic alteration in the claims being made, which he seemed to view with skepticism.
Land Dispute Claims: Lalo Badjie's Perspective
Lalo Badjie of Somita, the plaintiff in this dispute, presented a detailed historical claim to the contested land. Badjie asserts that the disputed land originally belonged to his grandfather, whom he identified as the founder of Kanaw Village. He provided a historical timeline, stating that his family relocated from Kanaw and settled in Somita approximately 100 years ago, establishing a long-standing connection to the region. Badjie, who is 74 years old, confirmed he was born in Somita, indicating that his personal history is deeply intertwined with the area, though not directly with Kanaw Village itself.
Badjie alleged that Dodou Tamba, a representative of the Kanaw community, settled on land belonging to his family without their consent, forming the core of his claim of encroachment. Further elaborating on his family's historical directives, Badjie claimed that his father had instructed Landingba Tamba to relocate Kanaw village around 1992, suggesting a prior understanding or arrangement regarding the land's usage. During the proceedings, Landing Badjie, another individual involved in the claim, stated he could identify some, but not all, of the boundaries of the disputed land, acknowledging limitations in his precise knowledge. He also indicated that he did not know the exact size of the contested area, which could pose challenges in clearly defining the extent of the claim. When questioned about his family's location and the historical context, Landing Badjie clarified, "I was referring to Kanaw in Casamance," introducing a geographical distinction that significantly alters the context of his family's origin and potential claims within the Foni Berefet District. This clarification suggests that the "Kanaw" his family originated from might not be the Kanaw village central to this particular land dispute, potentially weakening the direct historical link to the disputed territory in Foni Berefet.
Community and Family Perspectives from Kanaw
In direct response to Lalo Badjie’s assertions, Dodou Tamba, representing the Kanaw community, argued that Landing Badjie possessed no personal knowledge of the disputed land. Tamba’s statement implied that Landing Badjie’s testimony lacked the direct, firsthand experience necessary to substantiate his claims effectively. This challenge to personal knowledge forms a key counter-argument to the historical narratives presented by the Badjie family.
The Kanaw community, through its representatives, asserts that the disputed land is a shared community reserve that has been peacefully managed for generations. This description emphasizes a communal ownership model, contrasting with the individual ancestral claims put forth by Lalo Badjie. This perspective notes a long history of collective stewardship and utilization of the land by the residents of Kanaw. Dodou Tamba firmly rejected Badjie’s claims, stating unequivocally that Badjie owned no land in Kanaw. Tamba also indicated there had never previously been a land dispute between them, suggesting that the current conflict is a novel development rather than a continuation of existing tensions.
Further testimony was provided by Landing Badjie of Somita, who stated that the contested area belonged to their grandfather, Mamadi Badjie, reiterating the ancestral claim from the Badjie family's side. This testimony shows the Badjie family's belief in their hereditary rights to the land, tracing ownership back through generations. In a statement aimed at clarifying the national identity of the community he represents, Dodou Tamba further stated that all members of his family are Gambians, addressing any potential questions about their legal standing or historical presence in the country. This assertion reinforces the idea that the Kanaw community has a legitimate and long-established claim to the land as citizens of The Gambia. The contrasting narratives from both sides show the complexity of the land dispute, involving both historical ancestral claims and long-standing community management practices, all now under the scrutiny of a Governor’s inquiry.