Gbarpolu Lawmaker Seeks Resolution to Bopolu-Belle Boundary Dispute as County Attorney Urges Urgent Caucus Action

By: Henry B Gboluma Jr. |Gbarpolu Correspondent 

Sappimah Town, Gbarpolu County |March 5, 2026‎|In an effort to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute between Belle Administrative District and Bopolu Administrative District, Gbarpolu Electoral District #1 Representative Zinnah Norman convened a meeting on February 22, 2026, in Sappimah Town, Bopolu District.

The gathering drew Chiefs and Elders, including Paramount Chief Women’s leaders, as well as members of the Korninga ‘A’ Authorized Community Forest Management Body.

During the meeting, the Lawmaker stated that his purpose was to listen to his people regarding developments between Bopolu and Belle districts.

Paramount Chief George Sumo, Chairman of the Council of Chiefs of Gbarpolu, spoke and urged the Lawmaker to look into the matter.

He disclosed having the deed for Bopolu District would aid resolution and pledged to assist the representative in resolving the matter.

The Lawmaker promised to work with members of the caucus, especially District #2 Representative Luther Collins to collaborate across both districts on the internal boundary dispute.

The matter was triggered by the Korninga ‘A’ Authorized Community Forest Management Body, which raised concerns about forest deforestation along the Belle Fassama highway.

Five persons including Jeremiah Flomo, Elavana Kollie, Yorkie Sumo, Sumo David, and Alfred J. Mannah were named in a January 15, 2026 complaint to County Attorney Cllr. Arthur Washington of Gbarpolu.

The forest body maintains that it is charged with managing that portion of the forest in line with the 2009 Community Right Laws of Liberia (CRL), with violations punishable under CRL Chapter 7, Section 7.

In its forward-looking recommendations, the Korninga ‘A’ body urged an immediate stop to all forest farming or cutting to manage the community forest for the benefit of all.

The document, signed by Chief Officer J. Emery Ciapha and Executive Committee Chairman Dougba Fahnklin, also called for three Belle Fassama Township residents to be nominated to serve on the Community Assembly (CA) on the forest committee to work together for shared management.

These recommendations were presented to the County Attorney at a February 10, 2026 conference between the Korninga ‘A’ Authorized Community Forest and Belle District representatives.

On the other hand, Belle Administrative District leaders responded with Resolution #2, supported by elders, youth, women, and local leadership, proposing eight counts to settle the matter, including maintaining the status quo,

Belle noted that they are currently in court with the Korninga Chiefdom, via the Bopolu Administrative District, over a land dispute filed before His Honor Cllr. Arthur Washington on January 14, 2026.

Among the eight points, the Belle delegation urged submission of all legal instruments, including deeds and maps, to the Gbarpolu County Attorney to facilitate settlement, and that each district await action from its respective Representative per the Capitol’s January 2026 meeting.

Other resolutions called for a thorough investigation into alleged involvement of Korninga Chiefdom and Bopolu District residents in the disappearance of three Belle citizens, and urged cessation of logging and mining activities by Bopolu District on what the resolution described as ‘Belle land’ to prevent disorder.

The Belle delegation also argued that the land tive if their citizens farming on the land, which has triggered this longstanding land dispute is not a violation of law on its face, since the contested land lies within Belle District, and suggested recourse to court if the parties fail to implement the resolutions within 90 days.

The signed document, dated February 10, 2026, included signatures from fifteen Belle District citizens, including Belle District Development Association Chairman Urian Saah, Elder Allen Ziamah of Fassama Township, Elder Peter Flomo of Belle Yalla Township, Kerkula M. Bility – Youth Leader of Belle District, Renn Y. Johns – Belle District women leader among others.

Meanwhile, following the February 10, 2026, conference held at the Sixteen Judicial Circuit Court in Bopolu City, County Attorney Cllr. Arthur Washington stated that the complaints against the five individuals reflect a broader land dispute with roots dating to 2016.

He emphasized that the issue is primarily a land dispute rather than a simple deforestation crime, and recommended that Belle Administrative District and the Korninga ‘A’ body resume dialogue with their respective District Representatives, a process already initiated at the Capitol in January 2026.

The Gbarpolu County Attorney’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to peace and the rule of law and offered continued assistance as needed.

Subsequently, the County Attorney’s office urges the Gbarpolu County Legislative Caucus to look into the matter with urgency.

The Caucus is asked to engage with Belle and Korninga stakeholders to achieve a timely and durable resolution that benefits all Districts and preserves Internal stability for future generations.