On April 1, 2026, a new ministerial circular will come into effect in Cameroon, profoundly altering the land law that has been in force for over fifty years. This reform, formalized by a letter-circular from the Minister of Domains, Cadastre and Land Affairs (Mindcaf) on February 20, 2026, introduces two new documents: the Attestation of Recognition of Customary Land Rights (ARDFC) and the Attestation of Peaceful Enjoyment of Land (AJPTER). These attestations will be issued by third-degree traditional chiefs, i.e., village or district chiefs.
This initiative calls into question Ordinance No. 74-1 of July 6, 1974, which placed all untitled land in the national domain, making the land title the sole official proof of ownership. The new circular creates a legal duality by recognizing the validity of customary rights, a system where land belonged to families according to custom and where traditional chiefs guaranteed occupancy rights.
While the aim is to better supervise and secure customary rights and to strengthen the involvement of traditional authorities in the prevention and resolution of land conflicts, the reform raises concerns. Experts fear that a simple circular cannot modify the established legal balance and that the coexistence of modern title and customary attestation, without a clear rule of priority, will weaken all actors. The risk of traditional chiefs monetizing these attestations in a context of high demographic and speculative pressure is also mentioned.
The reform comes in a context of decentralization where mayors, elected by universal suffrage, manage local development. The circular does not clearly define the hierarchy between the mayor and the traditional chief, which could lead to tensions and block projects validated by the municipality. The short-term impact could be a rush to village chiefs to obtain these attestations, leading to an explosion of border disputes and increased uncertainty for investors.
Ultimately, this reform represents a large-scale test of uncontrolled legal pluralism. It remains to be seen whether it will appease the land issue or open a decade of conflict between modern law and customary legitimacy.
