Sulayman Saho, member for Central Badibou
By Fatou Sillah
The National Assembly on Monday adopted a motion introduced by Hon. Sulayman Saho, Member for Central Badibou, calling for stronger protection of customary land rights and improved governance in land administration.
The motion, which received wide support from lawmakers, underscored growing concerns over land grabbing, forced evictions, and weak protections for rural communities that rely heavily on customary tenure systems.
In presenting the motion, Hon. Saho emphasized that land in The Gambia carries profound social and cultural value beyond ownership. “Land represents identity, livelihood, inheritance, and the foundation of rural dignity; this motion is about ownership, fairness, and protection from arbitrary seizure,” he said.
He noted that while most Gambians access land through customary systems, they continue to face challenges such as speculative buying by powerful individuals, lack of proper documentation, and limited access for women and youth.
Hon. Saho urged urgent reforms, including the establishment of a National Land Rights Commission, the creation of a customary land registry, and the drafting of a Customary Land Security Bill within 12 months. He also called on the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs to conduct a nationwide review of land disputes and evictions and to recommend measures for protecting communal land systems.
“The Minister of Justice is to draft and present a customary land security bill within 12 months to provide legal recognition of customary land ownership, guarantee protection from arbitrary seizure, and show fair compensation in cases of compulsory acquisition,” he stressed.
The motion was seconded by the Member for Upper Niumi, who welcomed its objectives but cautioned against duplicating institutions. He argued that the existing Land Commission could be strengthened instead of creating a new body, and further suggested that the drafting of the security bill be fast-tracked within six months, rather than to prevent escalating disputes.
Other lawmakers, including members representing Tumana, Kiang West, Foni Kansala, and Lower Badibou, expressed strong support for the motion. They highlighted the need to strengthen the capacity of district tribunals and land boards and raised concerns about illegal land sales involving Alkalos and real estate companies.
After extensive debate, the National Assembly voted in favor of the motion, paving the way for what members described as a critical step toward safeguarding customary land rights and ensuring equitable land governance in The Gambia.