Building resilient mechanisms for inclusive and accountable local land governance

In 2013, Duah village in Liberia faced a serious challenge. Private company Lion Growth Ltd. was interested in the acquisition of Duah customary land. Duah’s local leaders struck a deal with the company without consulting the community. As a result, Duah community mobilised and rallied around their new mechanisms for inclusive, participatory land governance and, with the support of Namati and the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), held their leaders accountable. The community convinced their elders to cancel the deal, and this victory protected the Duah’s customary land and livelihoods and legitimised the community’s new participatory, people-focused land governance system. For additional land resources, visit the International Land Coalition’s Database of Good Practices at: http://www.landcoalition.org/en/good-practices