The Affair of the 90s land titles in Cameroon: When MINDCAF defies justice

A major debate is currently shaking Cameroon, following the controversial revocation of 90 land titles by the Minister of Domains, Cadastre and Land Affairs (MINDCAF), Henri Eyebe Ayissi. The situation raises fundamental questions about the separation of powers and the rule of law in the country.

1. Background to the case

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2. Involvement of MINDCAF

Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi is at the heart of this affair, accused of having ignored court decisions concerning the disputed land titles. How can a member of the government override a court decision? This behavior raises serious questions about respect for the rule of law in Cameroon.

3. Decision of the Littoral Administrative Court

According to documents obtained by the newspaper's Grand Reporter, Le Messager, the Littoral Administrative Court ruled in favor of the Collectivité Diwom in a case opposing it to the State of Cameroon, represented by MINDCAF. The decision, which concerns the cancellation of illegally established land titles, was ignored by Minister Ayissi, highlighting a major institutional crisis.

Cameroon is currently in a troubling situation following the withdrawal of 90 land titles by the Minister of Domains, Cadastre and Land Affairs (MINDCAF), Henri Eyebe Ayissi. The question is whether Cameroon is really a rule of law, given that the Minister has ignored court decisions concerning these land titles.

The principle of the separation of powers is a fundamental pillar of the Constitution of Cameroon, amended in 2008. However, Minister Eyebe Ayissi seems to have ignored it, disregarding a decision of the Littoral Administrative Tribunal which had ruled first and last spring.

The Grand Reporter of the newspaper Le Messager obtained a copy of the extract from the minutes of the Littoral Administrative Tribunal. This is appeal no. 255/RG/FD/16 of December 20, 2016, in which the Collectivité Diwom, represented by Her Majesty Nyame Raymond, Me Sandrine Soppo and others, opposed the State of Cameroon, represented by MINDCAF.

According to the judgment, the case concerned the cancellation of land titles illegally established on the lands of the Diwom Collectivity of the district of Yabassi. The judgment was rendered publicly, contradictorily with regard to the parties, in first and last resort. The court thus gave notice to the applicant community of its withdrawal and to the State of Cameroon of its acceptance.

The Littoral Administrative Court confirmed that this judgment had not been the subject of any appeal to its knowledge. This means that the court's decision has the authority of res judicata.

Faced with this situation, the Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi is faced with a crucial choice: either rehabilitate without delay the 90 land titles withdrawn, or resign from office for having defied justice and ignored its decisions. The consequences of its actions are potentially disastrous for the owners of the land titles concerned and for the State of Cameroon, which could be perceived as a "rogue state" or a "lawless state" if the damage caused is not repaired. .

It is a matter of urgency to avoid demonstrations that could cause instability and public order disturbances. The resignation of Minister Eyebe Ayissi could be a first step in restoring confidence in the respect of law and justice in Cameroon.