By Hatab Nyang and Louise Jobe
On Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Department of Lands and Surveys’ Brikama branch commenced the highly anticipated boundary demarcation exercise aimed at resolving a longstanding land dispute involving the communities of Gunjur, Jammeh Kunda, Darboe Kunda, Jatta Kunda, and Berending in the Kombo South District of the West Coast Region.
Accompanied by a contingent of police officers from the Gunjur Brusubi Police Station and the Truck Police Intervention Unit (PIU) based in Brikama, survey teams began their work at the boundary between Gunjur and Madina Salam village. Demarcation poles were systematically erected at intervals ranging from 300 to 400 meters, extending from Gunjur towards Madina Salam and southwards toward Kartong. Similar markings were placed to the east, delineating the boundary toward Berending.
Mr. Bunja Janneh, a senior officer from the Department of Lands and Surveys, described the day’s work as the initial phase of mapping and marking key boundary points. “Today we are taking and mapping out the key points. The program is designed to take about two weeks,” Mr. Janneh said. He added that the exercise would resume on Monday, July 14.
The demarcation team utilized a ketch plan to guide their work, registering each pole’s location with a GPS device to ensure precise documentation.
The current focus is on the western section of the disputed land between Jammeh Kunda and Kartong Touray Kunda. From there, the team will proceed eastward, marking the boundary between Jammeh Kunda and Darboe Kunda before turning north along the border between Darboe Kunda and Manjang Kunda.
The larger dispute encompasses borders among Jammeh Kunda, Darboe Kunda, Manjang Kunda, and Jatta Kunda. However, as of Thursday, the demarcation covered the area between Gunjur, Darboe Kunda, Jammeh Kunda, and Berending.
Meanwhile, boundary disagreements involving Manjang Kunda and Jatta Kunda remain unresolved and are currently before a group tribunal housed in the West Coast Region Governor’s office, now at the judgment stage.
The outcome of this demarcation exercise is expected to bring clarity to the contested boundaries and pave the way for lasting peace among the affected communities.
