Published: April 1, 2026
Monrovia — A prominent Liberian lawyer, Cllr. Elisha T.J. Forkeyoh, has issued a stark warning over the country’s escalating land disputes, cautioning that failure by the government to act decisively could plunge Liberia into widespread conflict and instability.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with a team of journalists at the Liberian National Bar Association offices in Monrovia, Cllr. Forkeyoh who emphasized he spoke in his personal capacity as a legal practitioner, asserted that the situation is fueled by systemic failures and weak institutional oversight.
Growing Land Conflicts and Demolitions Across Liberia
Across Liberia, land-related conflicts and demolitions are rapidly increasing, affecting communities in Sinkor, Congo Town, Gardnersville, Mount Barclay, Johnsonville, and several other densely populated areas mostly in Montserrado and Margibi.
These disputes have led to the destruction of homes, displacement of families, and the emergence of abandoned structures that often become hotspots for criminal activities. The trend, many say, reflects deep-rooted flaws in land governance, documentation, and enforcement mechanisms.
“The Entire System is Broken”
Cllr. Forkeyoh did not mince words in diagnosing the root of the crisis, pointing to a collapsed land administration system.
He Asserted that the entire land system in Liberia is broken—from the registration of deeds to the transfer of property, adding that there is a complete compromise, and it must be revisited.
He explained that the proliferation of fraudulent land claims is largely enabled by loopholes within the system, allowing individuals to manipulate records and wrongfully assert ownership over properties.
“Too many people are claiming ownership of properties that do not belong to them. They take advantage of a compromised system, and this is unacceptable,” he lamented.
Manipulation of Legal Principles
The lawyer further highlighted how established legal doctrines, particularly the principle that favors older land titles, are being exploited to dispossess legitimate occupants.
According to him, the principle that the older title prevails is being manipulated to boost people off properties they have developed over decades, stressing that said “narrow” interpretation of the law ignores other important considerations, including long-term occupation and development.
“Where were you 20 or 30 years ago when these communities were being built? You cannot abandon land and return decades later to destroy lives,” he warned.
Risk of Deadly Conflict
Cllr. Forkeyoh cautioned that the current trajectory of land disputes could lead to violence if left unchecked.
“If no preventive measures are taken, people may die. Is the government waiting for 100 or 200 people to die before acting? It will be too late,” he warned.
He urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent the situation from spiraling into deadly confrontations among citizens.
Institutional Failures and Weak Oversight
According to the lawyer, multiple institutions share responsibility for the crisis, including the Liberia Land Authority, the judiciary, and archival offices.
“This is a shared responsibility. Government institutions dealing with land matters need to be revisited and restructured,” he said, Cllr. Forkeyoh noted.
He criticized outdated manual systems at the National archives, which he said make it easy for fraudulent transactions to occur.
“Anyone can manipulate records under the current system. Where are we heading as a country?” he questioned.
Concerns Over Probate Courts
Cllr. Forkeyoh also raised serious concerns about the handling of land cases within probate courts across Liberia.
He stressed that only few judges strictly comply with the law governing deed registration and probation, something he believes contributes significantly to the chaos.
He emphasized that failure to adhere to legal procedures undermines the integrity of land ownership and fuels disputes nationwide.
Failures of the Land Authority
While acknowledging the good intentions behind the creation of the Liberia Land Authority, he described its past operations as ineffective.
“The Land Authority was more of a problem maker than a problem solver. The process became a money-making venture rather than a solution-driven institution,” he asserted, citing inefficiencies within alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which he claimed often worsened conflicts instead of resolving them.
Impact on Development and Infrastructure
The growing wave of demolitions, according to Cllr. Forkeyoh, is severely undermining Liberia’s development.
“We cannot continue to break down homes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and leave those areas abandoned. It is counterproductive to national development,” he stressed.
He noted that many demolished areas later become breeding grounds for criminal activities, further compounding societal challenges.
Call for Legal and Policy Reforms
Cllr. Forkeyoh is advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s land laws and dispute resolution mechanisms.
“Title ownership should not be the only basis for determining land disputes. We must also consider abandonment and the level of development on the property,” he explained.
He proposed that courts adopt a more balanced approach that protects both legal ownership and investments made by occupants over time.
Need for Government Intervention
The legal expert called on the national government, including the Ministry of Justice, to take a leading role in addressing the crisis.
“Land conflict has the potential to undermine the rule of law. Government must act now to arrest this growing danger,” he warned.
He further urged authorities to clamp down on individuals involved in fraudulent land sales.
“Too many criminals are involved in land transactions, and they are going scot-free. This must stop,” Cllr. Forkeyoh emphasized.
A Call for Urgent Action
As Liberia grapples with increasing land disputes and demolitions, Cllr. Forkeyoh’s warning adds to growing calls for reform within the sector.
“The system must be tightened and made beneficial to ordinary citizens. If we fail to act now, the consequences will be devastating,” he said.
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