A long-standing land dispute in the Nzérékoré region of Guinea has taken a turn for the worse after a forced eviction operation was carried out by a bailiff on November 3. The operation, which was carried out in the rural commune of Samoé, has sparked widespread protests and tensions in the area. Residents claim that they were not given prior notice of the eviction, leading to clashes with security forces.
The dispute, which dates back to 2006, centers around a plot of land owned by Charles Théa, a local landowner. Théa claims that he has been recognized as the rightful owner of the land by the courts, citing a 2009 decision by the Kankan Court of Appeal and a 2024 ruling by the Supreme Court. However, residents of the area have refused to vacate the land, leading to a protracted and contentious dispute.
On November 4, the governor of the Nzérékoré region, Colonel Moussa Condé, intervened in the dispute, promising to find a peaceful and administrative solution. Condé, who was accompanied by local authorities and administrators, visited the site of the dispute and met with residents. He expressed regret over the manner in which the eviction was carried out and promised to work towards finding a resolution that would respect the rights of all parties involved.
The bailiff responsible for the eviction operation claims that he had given prior notice to residents, citing efforts made in August to inform them of the impending eviction. However, residents dispute this claim, saying that they were not given sufficient notice. The situation remains tense, with many residents expressing fear and uncertainty about their future.
Charles Théa, the landowner, has expressed a willingness to negotiate with residents and find a peaceful solution to the dispute. He claims that he has been victimized in the past, having lost 17 buildings in a previous eviction operation in 2023. Théa, who is aged and has a large family, says that he wants to live in harmony with the residents and is open to finding arrangements with those who wish to regularize their presence on the land.
The dispute has sparked concerns about the impact on the local community, with many residents expressing anxiety about their future. The intervention by the governor and local authorities has helped to calm tensions, but the situation remains fragile. Efforts are underway to find a lasting solution to the dispute, which has been ongoing for over 20 years.
The Nzérékoré region has experienced several land disputes in recent years, highlighting the need for effective land management and conflict resolution mechanisms. The government has promised to work towards finding a solution to the dispute, with the governor emphasizing the need for a peaceful and administrative resolution. Key parties to the dispute have agreed to engage in further talks to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Key points
- The land dispute in Nzérékoré region has been ongoing for over 20 years
- A forced eviction operation was carried out by a bailiff on November 3
- The governor of Nzérékoré region has promised to find a peaceful and administrative solution to the dispute
