Yaounde: REPAR?Cameroon leads fresh dialogue on Cameroon's land reform.

Backed by the German Cooperation agency, GIZ, and the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, MINDCAF, the parliamentary network mobilised Members of Parliament, MPs, ministries, traditional rulers, civil society and development partners for talks on the future of Cameroon’s land policy.

The dialogue aimed at consolidating efforts already being made by REPAR‑Cameroon in the domain of land reform. 

In 2023, GIZ, through its Promotion of Responsible Land Policy, ProPFR project, began supporting REPAR to enhance land rights in the Centre Region and help advance the ongoing reform.

The Senior Vice President of the National Assembly, Hon Hilarion Etong, presided over last week dialogue on behalf of the House Speaker, the Rt Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. 

He welcomed participants to the event, stressing that land governance remains a constant preoccupation for the nation.

Hon Etong noted that the dialogue marked a constitutional step in the ongoing revolution to advance the reform, which was initially launched in 2013 under the instruction of the President.

He said Parliament was affirming its readiness to support the entire process but stressed that the reform must be simplified, transparent and digitised to strengthen its legal security. 

Hon Etong also demanded that the reform be protective particularly in favour of indigenous peoples, communities, herders and pastoralists among others.

“The question of land remains one of the pillars of the country’s social, environmental and security development,” Etong underscored.

Enter REPAR National Coordinator

Speaking earlier, the National Coordinator of REPAR-Cameroon, Hon Jean-Jacques Zam, outlined the network’s priorities. 

He announced specialised workshops targeting key groups such as women, youth, indigenous peoples, administrative authorities and decentralised entities. 

The sessions, the lawmaker said, aim to boost inclusiveness and strengthen modern land governance. He recalled the commitment stated by the Head of State during his November 6, 2025 swearing-in.

Hon Zam quoted the Head of State as saying: “The situation of young people and women will be at the heart of my action throughout this seven-year term”. 

He added that work was nearing completion on the National Land Policy document and the draft land law. He urged Government actors to maintain openness, stating that dialogue and consultation were essential for achieving fair and lasting solutions.

Gov’t, partners, vow to act

The Secretary General of MINDCAF, Innocent Ndilassi, told reporters that the ministry was advancing two major components. He cited the national land policy and the draft land law. 

The MINDCAF official explained that the action were direct instructions from the Head of State, noting the inclusion of all contributions received from partners and State structures. 

He stated that the day’s session reviewed progress and emphasised the need for a more inclusive legal framework.

According to him, land reform must involve traditional rulers and all stakeholders, as “land is everyone’s business”. He said the meeting assessed improvements in procedures governing property rights and land titles.

On his part, the Head of the GIZ-ProPFR project, Dr Tobias Feldt, described the land reform as a long and complex undertaking, already 15 years in progress. 

He said German cooperation had been contributing for three years at national, regional and local levels. Highlighting collaboration with ministries, civil society and traditional leadership, he noted that GIZ also worked with municipalities such as Yoko to help communities secure land rights.

“We cannot change everything in three years, but we can give some incentives, and this is what we try to do at all levels,” Feldt stated.

MPs push for women, youth land rights protection 

The parliamentarians who took part in the dialogue, demanded that the ongoing land reform must ensure simplified land document issuance and a reactivated process for acquisition, specifically to protect vulnerable groups. 

The Vice National Coordinator of REPAR, Senator Mbella Moki Charles, stated that recommendations are focused on ensuring the protection of the rights of women and the younger generation who have historically faced obstacles in acquiring land documents. The group also seeks the greater involvement of local communities and traditional chiefs in the management process.

On his part, His Majesty Senator Mama Jean Marie recalled that the reform has been under discussion since 2013. He said Parliament’s dialogue with Government would continue until a final law emerges. 

He acknowledged progress so far and expressed optimism that forthcoming stages would lead to the adoption of a modernised land governance framework.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3643 of Tuesday December 02, 2025