The Liberia Land Authority (LLA), with support from the joint United Nations Peace Building Support Programme launched the historic land survey in Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Nimba counties on 15 August. The launch was held in Tahn Town, Gola Konneh District, Grand Cape Mount.

UNDP, UN-Women, and the World Food Program (WFP), with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), are supporting this survey that is aimed at strengthening the institutional capacities of Liberia’s Land Authority to implement the Land Rights Act and the Local Government Act of 2018.

This is the second time in the country’s history that the government formally recognized traditional land ownership. The launch is paving the way for the issuance of legally recognized titled deeds to Indigenous communities for communally held land. The survey is expected to end centennial tensions among communities, and between communities and companies that are granted mining and farming concessions with little regard, involvement, or consultation with local communities. 

Chief Gbendi Boimah, the Clan Chief of Mona Clan, Gola Konneh District noted that the confirmatory survey continues to help in strengthening peace within communities as long-standing disputes over land are gradually being resolved.  He thanked the Government of Liberia through the LLA for seeking funds to build the capacity of land surveyors who are currently working in communities to survey people’s land. 

Speaking at the launch, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Programme Louis Kuukpen said the survey is meant to ensure legal ownership and issuance of the deeds to communities. He thanked the communities for their commitment and determination to enhance peace amongst them. Kuukpen extended gratitude to the UN sister agencies involved in this project – WFP and UN Women for collaborating with Civil Society Organizations in ensuring peace and stability.

The boundary harmonization and confirmatory survey launch leads to the issuance of legally probated titled land deeds to communities, in effect displacing the informal administration of land that is often challenged in courts of law. The survey will identify and clarify all existing boundary points between and amongst adjacent communities, including the disputed boundaries in the targeted counties.

The LLA Director, of Policy & Planning, Julius B. Kawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the UN Peace Building Fund (PBF) for the support granted through the UN agencies. Kawa further acknowledged the communities’ determination to keep peace and for accepting the LLA support.  

At the launch, UNDP handed over a Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep to the LLA. This vehicle, Kuukpen said represents assistance in enhancing the work of the LLA to conduct the Customary Land Formulization (CFL) process. 

Conflicts over land were one of the factors that fueled the protracted 14-year civil war in Liberia. Land disputes have degenerated into violent conflicts between people and communities, with the destruction of property, the loss of lives, and displacement.

The launch of the second confirmatory survey sets the basis for encouraging other counties to use non-violent approaches such as land surveys and titling to settle land conflicts.