DMSPs Complete Learning Visit to Malen Chiefdom, Highlight Lessons on Land Conflict Resolution and Community Development
Land for Life, together with District Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (DMSPs) from Port Loko, Pujehun, Kenema, and Tonkolili, has concluded a two-day learning visit to Malen Chiefdom in Pujehun District. The visit aimed to strengthen peer learning, improve land governance, and promote peaceful resolution of land-related conflicts across Sierra Leone.
Malen Chiefdom has long been a hotspot of land disputes involving local communities, traditional authorities, and Socfin Agricultural Company. These tensions previously escalated into serious conflict, resulting in loss of lives and restrictions on civil society engagement in the area.
In recent years, sustained engagement by civil society actors, government institutions, and other partners has helped to gradually rebuild dialogue, improve coordination, and support peacebuilding efforts in the chiefdom.
Key developments observed include:
- Land mapping and surveying completed in 9 out of 10 sections, with documentation provided to family heads.
- Town and section chiefs now receiving remuneration above the national minimum wage.
- A joint survey by communities, authorities, and the company showing a reduction in recognized landowners from about 6,000 to 443.
- Distribution of seeds and seedlings to women and community groups to strengthen livelihoods.
These changes were widely seen as signs of improved coordination and emerging systems for more structured land administration.
However, some issues remain unresolved. The Regent Paramount Chief stated that the Malen Affected Landowners Association (MALOA) and Hopanda have been dissolved and merged into a new structure. MALOA members, however, dispute this, highlighting ongoing differences among stakeholders.
A central focus of the visit was learning how conflict in Malen was managed and how sustained dialogue helped reduce tensions. Participants noted that continuous engagement between communities, traditional leaders, companies, and civil society played a key role in de-escalation.
The DMSPs emphasized that these lessons are highly relevant for other districts facing similar conflicts between investors and local communities, and can inform future land governance and peacebuilding efforts across Sierra Leone.
