How secure are land rights in Cameroon? A review of the evolution of land tenure system and its implications on tenure security and rural livelihoods

摘要: Tenure security provides incentives for sustainable land uses practices, long-term investment, and positively affects rural livelihoods strategies poverty reduction. However, tenure insecurity is globally a critical issue most of the poorest. This paper analyses evolution system in Cameroon from precolonial era to nowadays discusses implications on livelihoods. Outcomes reveal that since colonial era, though widely used by communities, customary rights over have not been recognized protected; State owns all lands while users are tenants; titles only legal means claim ownership; few delivered; procedure obtaining title often unknown, gender neutral excludes poorest; trusted do always provide security. Besides, current framework presents several loopholes favor negatively impact people socio-economic cultural conditions. Therefore, policy reforms needed recognize protect improve overall governance resources.