The Cameroonian government is embarking on a new phase of land governance reform. Starting April 1, 2026, traditional chiefs of the 3rd degree will be authorized to issue provisional land titles for certain parcels of the national domain. This measure is formalized by a circular letter signed on February 20 by Henri Eyebe Ayissi, Minister of Domains, Cadastre and Land Affairs.
This reform introduces two new administrative instruments to establish a "start of proof" of the occupation or exploitation of a parcel of the national domain. These are the Attestation of Recognition of Customary Land Rights (ARDFC) and the Attestation of Peaceful Enjoyment of Land (AJPTER). These documents represent an intermediate step towards obtaining the land title, the sole official certification of real estate ownership in Cameroon. The objective is to harmonize national land governance with international practices and strengthen the recognition of customary rights.
The ARDFC aims to promote the land rights of customary communities and family communities. The AJPTER, for its part, aims to better protect the rights of occupation and exploitation of land users. The issuance of these attestations will be entrusted to traditional chiefs of the 3rd degree, within the limits of their territory. The government hopes to involve traditional authorities more in the prevention and resolution of land conflicts, which are often sources of social tension.
These provisional documents will allow rural populations, family communities and customary communities to have official recognition of their possession or enjoyment of land, pending the eventual obtaining of a definitive land title. Only customary communities, family communities, their members or holders of customary land rights occupying or exploiting a dependency of the national domain can apply for the ARDFC. The AJPTER is accessible to Cameroonian citizens who have demonstrably developed land for at least five years and enjoy peaceful occupation within a village or family community.
The ministry specifies that these attestations relate only to land in the first category of the national domain that is already occupied or exploited. Virgin or undeveloped land is excluded. This initiative aims to secure the living space of customary communities and prevent land-related conflicts.
By entrusting a strengthened role to traditional chiefs, the State seeks to reconcile modern law and customary practices, in an approach aimed at more inclusive and peaceful land governance. However, this reform is generating reactions. Shanda Tonme, president of the Independent Commission against Corruption and Discrimination (COMICODI), has appealed to the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, requesting the withdrawal of this circular, which he considers seditious and contrary to the legal order.
