Sheik Kafumba Konneh

The notion that Mandingoes are Palestinians in Liberia has been dismissed. Sheik Kafumba Konneh of the Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia says depriving Mandingoes of their land in Liberia will not make them second Palestinian in the West African nation.

Referring to the on-going land dispute in Nimba County between ethnic Mandingoes and Gios, Sheik Konneh maintained that Mandingoes need to channel their grievances through political means and do away with violence.

Sighting the civil war as an example he pointed out, that violence is not the answer to the situation in Liberia. According Sheik Konneh, he lost eighty-six family members during the war. He is encouraging Mandingoes to foster unity amongst them and put their plight before the United Nations. 

He underscored the need for them to formulate strategies that will enable the United Nations address some of the many predicaments they face in Liberia.

He advised Mandingoes in the Diaspora including those sitting on the door step of the UN not to sit aside as refugees, but get involve with important ventures that will assist others in need.

The TRC Commissioner Konneh quoted former United States President, Jimmy Carter as saying, that the US government was not aware of tribulations Mandingoes face in Liberia. He reminded the Mandingo community that power lies in unity, adding, “If you want to be useless, than divide yourselves.” He was referring to the internal struggles within various Mandingo Associations across the US and else where.

In order to foster unity, Sheick Konneh is urging his kinsmen to make use of mass education as were as mass communication. With quality education he said, they can bring about positive change to Liberia. He further disclosed that mass communication would positively promote the image of the community and bring in more assistance.

Meanwhile, Sheick Konneh is praising Mandingo youths who graduated in recent time for their academic achievement and encouraged others to follow suit. He made the comment on Sunday June 15, 2008 when MMA, the Minnesota Mandingo Association honored him at the Center for Family Service in North Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Following his remark, certificates were presented to him for his outstanding service to both Liberia and the Mandingo community. The certificates were presented by Momo Sekou Dudu and Musu Bryant Bah; both of whom are professors at Brown College in Mendota Height, Minnesota.

Mayalan Keita Brown, Outreach Manager at the African American Friendship Association for Co-operation and Development in Minnesota also presented certificate to the Sheick on behalf of MMA.  MMA President Musa Kamara thanked the Sheick for widening the minds of members his organization and promised to work in the best interest of the community.

Since the fading in of the sounds of guns in Liberia, Mandingoes and Gios have been at each other’s gullet for disputed domain in Nimba County. The Liberian Government has since promised to return trouble areas to relevant owners, but that is yet to be seen.

Land dispute in Liberia mostly result into blood bath before Government is called in to the spot light. In Liberia, it is very common for more then one buyer to pay for the same parcel simultaneously thereby resulting into survival of the fittest.

As early as two weeks ago, nearly fifty people were killed on the borders of Margibi and Grand Bass Counties because of a disputed farmland. A Liberian Senator, Rolland Khan, and a former rebel spokesman, Charles Benin is claiming ownership of the disputed area. According to reports from Star Radio in Liberia, Mr. Benin hired the victims from Monrovia to work the hot spot prior to their violent death.

So far, thirteen bodies have purportedly been uncovered from the Farmington River and taken to Kakata, Margibi County. Farmington River forms the border between Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties. A local Human Rights advocate, Consular Dempster Brown has called for the arrest of both Senator Rolland Khan and Charles Benin in connection with the crime.

During 2003 to 2004, the famous Via Town land dispute in Monrovia resulted into fighting between two families which led to the death of one Hajji Konneh. It is hoped by many that parties involved in the Nimba County land row   will find common ground before the situation degenerates.

The writer is a student of journalism at the North Hennepin Community College in Minnesota, a former Asst. Language Program Coordinator/ Radio Program Producer at the Liberia Broadcasting System as well as inventor of the program Indigenous Songs of Liberia and former producer of Focus on Development still heard on ELBC, Liberia.

Lassana Y. Bamba, Jr. can be reached at 763-477-8604 or lassanabam5@yahoo.com