By: Problyn J. Alpha
A land dispute that has lingered for over four decades between Wara Wara Yagala and Diang Chiefdoms in Koinadugu District has escalated into violence, claiming the lives of two men and leaving four others severely injured. The wounded are currently receiving treatment at the Kabala Government Hospital.
In an interview with our correspondent, the Town Chief of Konkonbah II in Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Mohamed Conteh, reflected on the long history of the conflict. He recalled that the land dispute was partially resolved when he was just ten years old through an agreement between the two paramount chiefs of the respective chiefdoms. As part of the peace accord, it was agreed that anyone found violating the terms would be fined a measure intended to sustain peace between the communities.
However, Chief Conteh noted that the peace agreement was not universally accepted. He explained that over time, some residents of Diang Chiefdom expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement, claiming rightful ownership of the disputed land. According to him, tensions have steadily escalated, with some individuals from Diang reportedly planning retaliation to reclaim the contested area.
Chief Conteh reported that on May 17, 2025, a large group from Diang Chiefdom allegedly launched a violent attack on towns situated along the disputed boundary. The attackers reportedly destroyed crops and properties belonging to residents of Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom. During the confrontation, two men were killed, and four others were seriously injured.
A postmortem examination of one of the deceased confirmed that the victim had been shot, with bullets retrieved from the body, indicating the use of a shotgun during the attack.
Chief Conteh, speaking on behalf of local authorities, called for the immediate intervention of the government and relevant stakeholders to bring a lasting resolution to the dispute. He emphasized the deep cultural, traditional, and familial ties between the two chiefdoms, noting that many intermarriages and shared customs exist between their peoples. He warned that if the conflict remains unresolved, it risks evolving into a tribal crisis, which could have far-reaching implications for peace and stability in the region and the country as a whole.