31 December 2008
This paper has learnt that the land dispute in Nimba County between the Gios and Manos on the one hand and their Mandingo brothers on the other hand remains unresolved, and as such, the former Deputy Chief of Mission of the Liberian Embassy in Washington D.C. has once again appealed to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to personally intervene to bring the crisis to an end.
Mandingos, Gios and Manos in Ganta, Nimba County have for the past years been at each other over land which both of them are claiming ownership of.
Mr. Abdulah K. Dunbar said: "The personal intervention of President Sirleaf would bring the continual land quarrel in the area to a prompt and amicable end".
He also added that his call to the president was warranted by what he called report of renewed tension among the three ethnic groups in the county over the disputed land.
He observed that there has been no harmonious resolution to the conflict despite mediation of the Special Committee headed by Internal Affairs Minister Ambulai Johnson.
"With due deference, Madam President, it may surprise you to know that since the Committee's intervention, the emphasis has shifted from encroachment to the active erection of building on lands owned by the Mandingoes, " the former deputy chief of mission at the Liberian Embassy in Washington. D.C said.
A statement quoted Mr. Dunbar, a prominent son of Nimba County, as maintaining that the Chief Executive's intervention is very necessary because "the land dispute in the county is having a negative impact on the cordial relations among the ethnic groups involved and a lasting solution needs to be sought."
The former Liberian diplomat, who commended president Sirleaf for improving Liberia's lost image on the international scene, pleaded that the final resolution of the Ganta land dispute would boost her government's domestic agenda.
It may be recalled that some times last year, Mr. Dunbar made similar appeal to the President, urging her to intervene in the Ganta land dispute.
Commenting on reconciliation and unity, he admonished his fellow Liberians to thread the path of genuine reconciliation and national healing and do away with vices that have the propensity to plunge the Liberian nation into another round of bloody armed conflict.
He said hatred, lies and deception and all other forms of anti- peace vices will lead the Liberian nation nowhere, noting "our hearts and minds should take the shape of true forgivingness and healing"
The former deputy chief of mission challenged President Sirleaf to remain steadfast and dedicated to redeeming the Liberian nation from its political, social and economic quagmire.
The former Liberian career diplomat's comments were contained in his New Year Message delivered Tuesday, Deccember30, 2008 at his Old Road Sinkor Residence
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