Residents living in areas overseen by the Bloléquin and Doké sub-prefects said that, despite the lack of national government support, their sub-prefects do not charge money in adjudicating land complaints; complainants’ primary cost is transport to the subprefecture.224 Several residents said this alone was a barrier to resolving complaints, particularly when the opposing party repeatedly fails to show for a hearing (discussed in more detail below)—requiring the alleged victim of land dispossession to pay again and again in the hope the other party will finally respect a summons.225 In contrast, residents in villages overseen by the Duékoué sub-prefect’s land committee cited high costs at every step of the complaint.226 A humanitarian official confirmed Human Rights Watch’s observations about Bloléquin, Doké, and Duékoué, and noted that the subprefecture of Bagohouo likewise demands substantial fees to formalize land sales or adjudicate disputes.227 Natives and non-natives alike voiced frustration over the costs associated with the Duékoué land committee. A Burkinabé community leader involved in a land dispute with a Guéré said he had to pay 5,000 CFA ($10) as a party to the case and another 30,000 CFA ($60) for the committee’s “fees” to perform field investigations. He told Human Rights Watch: “I feel that the system is broken, that it’s all about money.”228 A Malian, who told Human Rights Watch that people have to pay for each witness called before the land committee, voiced similarly, “I won’t go before it anymore. We see the costs as a huge problem. It’s not the idea of the land committee that’s a problem, it’s how this one is run…. We feel it’s corrupt.”229 A Guéré from Fengolo involved in a land dispute expressed similar concern and offered suggestions: If the land committee is just about taking money, that’s not going to work…. Why are you fixing a price of 25,000, 30,000 CFA ($50-60) before going to the land to consider a dispute? Why not fix the costs after, based on what 224 Human Rights Watch interviews with residents, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 225 Human Rights Watch interviews with residents, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 226 Human Rights Watch interviews with residents, western Côte d’Ivoire, February and June 2013. 227 Human Rights Watch interview with humanitarian official, location withheld, June 2013. 228 Human Rights Watch interview with Burkinabé leader involved in a land dispute, Duékoué, February 6, 2013. 229 Human Rights Watch interview with Malian leader previously involved in a land dispute, Duékoué, February 6, 2013. “THAT LAND IS MY FAMILY’S WEALTH” 76