Joint field missions to Kongba District, Gbarpolu County took place on 19-21 February 206, and 29 May to 2 June 2026, conducted by representatives from four Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the IFM Coordination Mechanism. The CS-IFM briefing from the mission includes the following key messages:

• Communities in Kongba District, Gbarpolu County, lack adequate information about the proposed establishment of a logging concession (FMC D) and a proposed protected area – Foya National Park – in their area.
• Different communities appear to have been given different information, yet none could provide records of community meetings or resolutions showing that communities understand the processes involved or any decisions made.
• There is no formal agreement on the demarcation between the proposed Foya National Park and the FMC D concession area, yet the two areas overlap by 65,000 hectares (ha).
• Above all, the formalization of customary land ownership has not been undertaken across all the communities potentially affected by either proposal, yet this is a legal requirement.
• Given the poor process and confusion so far, a multi-stakeholder committee is required to oversee the process moving forward, and to ensure a transparent and credible process that builds consensus rather than divides communities.

The assertions in the briefing were submitted to the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) on 31 August 2026, and replies were received on 3 November 2026. These have been incorporated into the briefing.