By Hatab Nyang & Louise Jobe
The ongoing boundary demarcation between Gunjur and Berending villages continued on Monday, 14th July 2025, in Kombo South District, West Coast Region, raising fresh concerns from residents of Kartong village who say their lands are being wrongly included in the exercise.
The demarcation began in the morning at Berending village, moving from the north to the east. Nine poles were erected during the exercise, which, according to observers, resulted in almost half of Berending village now being marked as part of the four kabilos of Gunjur. Residents reported that numerous compound fences and gardens are affected, including areas from the Berending cemetery, Pallum Basic School, St. Andrews Lower Basic School, and the compound of the Alkalo of Berending village.
Mr. M.K. Juwara, a native of Kartong village, expressed dismay, saying that what was initially reported in the news as a boundary demarcation between Gunjur and Berending appears to have taken a different direction, as the exercise reportedly began from Madina Salam village. He added that on Thursday, 10th July 2025, during the demarcation exercise, more than one hundred people from Kartong village—particularly members of the Touray Kunda families—were affected.
Juwara stated that Kartong will defend its lands and emphasized that the community of Berending was originally hosted by Kartong and that Berending settlers reside on Kartong land. He referenced a court case from the early 1980s between Tempo Bajo and Madifina Jatta, in which a boundary was demarcated between Gunjur and Kartong at a place called Kolondingoto. He explained that Kolondingoto lies between Gunjur and Madina Salam, before one enters Madina Salam when coming from Gunjur.
Juwara stressed that Kartong was not involved in the setting of the current boundary and maintained that the exercise is happening on Kartong lands. He appealed to the government to uphold justice and ensure that fairness is served.
Meanwhile, surveyors on the ground said they are simply executing their duty based on the sketch plan provided to them for the demarcation. They indicated that once the exercise is completed and their report is finalized, it will be submitted to the appropriate government authorities for further action.
For now, the demarcation exercise is moving smoothly and peacefully, with no major challenges reported.
