By: Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay | Contributing Writer
Sinoe County, Liberia |April 18, 2026|A citizens’ group in Sinoe County is calling on the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to immediately conduct new elections for the Tartweh-Drapoh Authorized Forest Community leadership, claiming the current officials’ tenure has expired and their continued stay violates Liberia’s Community Forest Law.
In a letter dated March 27, 2026, addressed to Madam Weedor Gray, Technical Manager of the Community Forest Department at the FDA, the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) of Tartweh-Drapoh Authorized Forest Community, Kpanyan Statutory District, said the Community Assembly, Executive Committee, and Community Forest Management Body have overstayed their mandate.
According to the CCM, the current leadership was elected on December 18, 2020, for a five-year term in line with the Regulation of the Community Right Law of 2009. That tenure, the group argues, has since ended.
“Sir, the current leadership tenures has expired,” the letter states. “Keeping the current leadership of our community forest in power is a complete violation of the Community Forest Law of Liberia and a tendency to create room for leadership confusion.” the letter noted.
The group cited Chapter Four, Section 4.6 and Chapter 3, Section 3.9 of the amended Regulation to the Community Right Law of 2009, which they say delineates the tenure of Community Forest Management Body members.
The CCM accused the current leadership of “conspicuous silence” regarding calls for elections, claiming the delay serves “their own aggrandizement rather than the community’s supreme interest.”
The letter further alleges that two officials are using government positions to block the electoral process. It names Chief Officer Mr. Kwankon F. Saytue, described as Regional Coordinator for Region 4, National Disaster Management, and Executive Committee Chairperson Mr. Hilary Quetoh, said to be working at NASSCORP as Registrar.
The CCM claims both are “using these government positions not to invite the FDA to conduct the Forest Management elections but to keep the community under hostage.
The Rural Reporters News Network New has not independently verified these employment claims, and attempts to reach Mr. Saytue and Mr. Quetoh for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. The FDA also had not responded to inquiries about the letter.
For the sake of peace and development, the CCM is requesting that the FDA swiftly conduct a free, fair, and transparent Election for the community’s Forest Management Committees.
The group said it remains optimistic that this communication will be respectfully honored for the sake of community stability.
The letter was signed by Mr. D. Kartor Geelar, Secretary of CCM, and approved by Chairman Nelson Kanmoh. Copies were sent to the Managing Director of the FDA and Hon. Alexander Nah Sleweon, County Superintendent of Sinoe County.
Community Forest Management Bodies (CFMBs) are responsible for overseeing forest resources under Liberia’s Community Rights Law, which was designed to give local communities control over forest lands and benefits.
Disputes over leadership tenure have previously led to conflict and mismanagement in other forest communities across Liberia.
The Tartweh-Drapoh Authorized Forest Community is located in Kpanyan Statutory District, Sinoe County, an area with significant forest resources and ongoing logging and conservation interests.
The FDA has not yet issued a public statement on the request. Under Liberian law, the FDA is mandated to supervise and ensure compliance with community forest governance rules.
