Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana
By Buba Gagigo
Authorities in Guinea-Bissau have reportedly arrested prominent Gambian cleric Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana in connection with the alleged illegal felling of timber trees. The incident is said to have occurred in a village in Guinea-Bissau, where forestry officials discovered a significant quantity of timber logs linked to the imam.
According to a Guinea-Bissau man who spoke in an audio recording, officials were alerted to reports of timber felling in the area and visited the village to investigate. Residents allegedly advised them to wait and see which compound the timber would be taken to.
“One of the forestry workers traced the timber and found 16 logs in one location and another 61 logs in a different area, making a total of 77 logs,” the source said. The timber was reportedly documented on video, and the footage was sent to the capital, Bissau.
Following his arrest, Imam Fofana allegedly told authorities that he was using the timber to make a bed, claiming he currently sleeps on the floor. He is said to have appealed to National Assembly Member Alagie Dembo Gitteh to intervene on his behalf, insisting the timber was not for commercial purposes.
The man, however, noted that additional felled trees were found in the bush, raising questions about whether the imam’s activities might have been intended for business rather than personal use.