A wave of anger and concern has swept through Sukuta-Salagi as residents face what they describe as a government-led land grab, prompting a passionate response from Hon. Fatou Cham, National Assembly Member for Sanimentereng Constituency. Videos and audio clips circulating on social media allege that the Department of Physical Planning is forcing locals to vacate their homes and properties, claiming the area as reserved land—a move Cham has condemned as unjust and systemic.
“I am utterly shocked,” Cham said in a statement addressing the crisis. Despite being abroad, she revealed that the distressing reports had left her restless, and she has been inundated with calls from stakeholders demanding accountability over the past 24 hours. “As a citizen of Kombo and your MP, I share the concern of most Sukuta-Salagi residents that this land and property crisis is an emergency affecting us all.”
Cham criticized the government’s approach, arguing that it fails to address the root causes of land disputes and instead punishes residents striving to meet basic needs like shelter and food. She stressed that any solution must protect indigenous landowners’ rights to sustain their livelihoods. “The government must do everything in its power to redress our neighbors’ suffering,” she insisted.
The MP called for comprehensive land reform across The Gambia, advocating secure land rights that hold market value, can be used as collateral for investment, or can be passed down as generational wealth. “What the people of Sukuta and Kombo need more than ever before is sensible land reform,” Cham declared.
The controversy in Sukuta-Salagi, she warned, is a symptom of a broader struggle across Kombo—from Sanyang to Kafuta—where communities feel betrayed by a government they accuse of prioritizing control over empowerment. “Those in government who are supposed to protect and preserve our lands will never support the true empowerment of our people,” Cham said. “They will fight every attempt we make to reclaim our land, resources, and economic independence.”
For years, Cham noted, women and youths in the region have faced threats of arrest over land disputes, pushing communities to a breaking point. “Our backs are against the wall, and we can no longer be playing by their rules,” she asserted. “The days of unchecked government control are ending, and the future belongs to those who fight for justice.”
Despite the escalating tensions, Cham urged a nonviolent, democratic response, emphasizing the need for thoughtful planning to achieve a positive outcome. “This is an important moment—not just for Sukuta, but for Kombo as a whole,” she concluded, rallying the region to stand united against systemic land seizures.
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