Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs Hamat N.K. Bah has called for calm and respect for the rule of law following a shooting incident reportedly linked to a land dispute in Kerr Makka.
Speaking at a political meeting in Njaw village in the Upper Saloum on Monday evening, Minister Bah strongly condemned the use of violence to resolve land disputes and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
His comments followed reports that a longstanding land disagreement in Kerr Makka escalated into an armed confrontation, resulting in a shooting and raising tensions within the community.
Minister Bah reminded residents that The Gambia is governed by the rule of law and that disputes must be resolved through the appropriate legal channels.
“We live in a country of law, and the court’s judgment is the law. The President, the Executive, and the Legislature will not interfere with the Judiciary. Whatever happens, there is a clear process,” Bah said.
The Minister said he had personally engaged regional authorities, including the Governor and local chiefs, following the incident to assess developments and ensure that the relevant law enforcement authorities responded swiftly.
He expressed concern over the growing tendency for individuals involved in land disputes to resort to weapons and warned that such actions could have serious consequences.
“Whether it is a firearm or a cutlass, if you use it to take the law into your own hands, the law will deal with you,” the Minister warned.
Bah urged residents to exercise restraint and allow the courts and other legitimate institutions to handle disputes over land ownership and boundaries.
He also called on traditional leaders, community elders and other stakeholders to play their part in preventing disputes from escalating into violence.
The Minister stressed that political differences, community disagreements or land disputes should never become a justification for violence, emphasising maintaining peace and protecting lives must remain a shared responsibility.
His intervention comes at a time when land-related disputes continue to generate tensions in several communities, highlighting the importance of effective dispute-resolution mechanisms and respect for judicial decisions.
Minister Bah concluded his appeal with a clear message to those involved in the Kerr Makka dispute and the wider community: put away the weapons, respect the law and allow due process to take its course.
