A coalition of civil society advocating for better management of natural resources in Cameroon has called on the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime to increase transparency and take community participation into account in the allocation of land and mining concessions.

The advocacy of the civil society coalition comprising Canadel, Relufa and Trap-GRN) said there was an urgent need for the regime in Yaoundé to initiate a participatory approach in the management of natural resources in Cameroon where land is subject to increased demand from companies in the forestry, mining and agro-industrial sectors.

In a document sent to the National Assembly, the Civil Society Coalition proposed a variety of measures to improve the transparency and participation of municipalities and communities in the process of allocating land concessions, causing conflicts, in many African countries. The body also appealed for a review of Ordinance 74/1 on land tenure.

Cameroon Intelligence Report understands the Francophone National Assembly recently adopted Law No. 2016/017 of 14 December 2016, establishing a Mining Code. The coalition of civil society organizations says that the law presents some weaknesses, one of the most striking of which concerns the “citizen watch system”, for the communities around the mining zones and real estate.

By Sama Ernest
Cameroon Intelligence Report