Gambian National Assembly Adopts Landmark Motion for Customary Land Rights Protection

National Assembly Takes Decisive Action on Land Rights

On Monday, September 22, 2025, The Gambian National Assembly adopted a significant motion aimed at safeguarding customary land rights and fostering equitable land governance across the country. The motion, introduced by Hon. Sulayman Saho, the Member for Central Badibou, seeks to establish a commission dedicated to reviewing land disputes and protecting the land tenure systems vital to the majority of Gambians. This move comes amidst growing concerns over land grabbing, forced evictions, and the vulnerability of customary landowners.

Addressing Systemic Challenges in Land Ownership

In presenting the motion, Hon. Saho underscored the profound cultural and economic significance of land in The Gambia, stating that 'Land represents not only property, but identity, livelihood, inheritance, and the foundation of rural dignity.' He highlighted the urgent need to address increasing instances of land grabbing and speculative buying by individuals with political or financial influence, which often lead to forced evictions and disputes due to inadequate legal protection for customary landowners. Vulnerable groups, including women and youth, face particular challenges in accessing and securing land, exacerbated by a lack of documentation and affordable dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Key Recommendations for Land Governance Reform

The adopted motion outlines several critical steps to reform land administration and protect customary rights:

• A nationwide review of land disputes and evictions involving customary land, to be conducted by the Ministry of Lands.
• The urgent establishment of a National Land Rights Commission. This commission would be tasked with mediating land conflicts, protecting communal land systems, and developing a customary land registry under local authorities.
• The Ministry of Justice is urged to draft and present a customary land security bill within 12 months. This bill aims to provide legal recognition for customary land ownership, safeguard against arbitrary seizure, and ensure fair compensation in cases of compulsory acquisition.
• The parliamentary Select Committee on Lands is proposed to conduct public hearings in regions across the country, gathering testimonies from landowners and affected communities.

Legislative Support and Future Outlook

The motion received broad support from lawmakers, with many emphasizing the urgency of the issue. Hon. Almameh Gibba, Member for Foni Kansala, described the motion as 'the best in the session,' pointing to ongoing land-grabbing incidents and the use of security forces in determining ownership. He stressed that the proposed commission could 'amicably solve some of the issues tearing our communities apart.' While some legislators, like Hon. Omar Darboe of Upper Nuimi, suggested strengthening existing land commissions rather than creating new ones and expediting the bill's timeline to six months, the overall consensus was in favor of robust reforms. Hon. Musa Badjie of Tallinding Kunjang also highlighted the importance of enforcing existing laws, such as the State Lands Act 1991, to close implementation gaps. The National Assembly's decision marks a pivotal moment in The Gambia's efforts to ensure equitable land governance and protect the fundamental rights of its citizens to their ancestral lands.