Land Dispute in Pô Intensifies Within the Gomgnimbou Family

PÔ — In the capital of Nahouri province, a family conflict over land ownership is escalating among members of the Gomgnimbou family, despite multiple attempts at mediation by local leaders and community figures.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this internal family clash involves key figures like Michel Adoubé Gomgnimbou and his nephews, Marc Salazar and Claude Gomgnimbou, with allegations of unauthorized land transactions at its core. The disagreements center around the sale and allocation of family lands in Pô, including areas in sectors 6 and 7 and the village of Katchéli, with the patriarch and his nephews accusing each other of illegal land sales.

The roots of this conflict trace back several years, marked by escalating tensions and differing views on land stewardship. Marc Salazar Gomgnimbou alleges his uncle engaged in unauthorized land sales, undermining family agreements and expectations. Conversely, Michel Adoubé Gomgnimbou asserts that his actions, including land subdivisions, were preventive measures against his nephews’ perceived mismanagement and opportunistic sales.

These familial disputes have prompted interventions from various community figures, including the former President of the special delegation of Pô, Valérie Bama, and the traditional chief, the Pôpê. Despite these efforts, the misunderstandings persist, with each side maintaining their stance. The interventions aimed to foster maturity, dialogue, and respect for traditional hierarchies and processes, emphasizing the collective responsibility to uphold peace and social cohesion.

Moreover, the conflict has garnered attention from the community radio Goulou de Pô, where media interventions have attempted to mediate and provide perspectives on the situation. Donald Tagnabou, related to both conflicting parties, has played a significant role in these communication efforts, striving to moderate the dispute and advocate for reasoned discourse.

This dispute underscores the complexities of land ownership and familial roles in Pô, reflecting broader issues of tradition, modernity, and communal harmony. The ongoing discord highlights the challenges of reconciling individual actions with collective family and community interests, especially in a context where land is not only an economic asset but also a cultural and traditional cornerstone.