Traditional chiefs demand their land back from Miners

In the Ngoura district the Lom et Djerem district in East Cameroon, the honeymoon has ended between local residents and miners. During a general assembly of traditional chiefs of this administrative unit reported by the private publication Mutations, traditional authorities of the virtual gold mine of Ngoura, complained to the sub-prefect, Jules Adam Tomboka, about the stealing of their land by miners.

Traditional chiefs have also warned the administrative authority on the risks of the social climate deteriorating in the district as the local residents were angry with both the miners and traditional local leaders as they are suspected of being in league together.

According to the complainants, in addition to having no consideration for traditional chiefs, miners in the Ngoura district “are taking advantage of mining permits received from the Cameroonian authorities to claim thousands of acres of land in villages. Much of this land is taken and sold to expatriates. Much to everyone’s surprise, village inhabitants have literally been driven away from any mining areas within their rich.”

According to Alexandre Vamang Ndozeng, president of the mining management commission of the district of Ngoura, “local populations get nothing.” He also added that “what hurts the most is the fact that our people no longer have access to gold mines. One has to wonder if we will ever regain our legitimate rights to the land of our ancestors.” Facing the local population’s concerns, the traditional chiefs are demanding the complete cancellation of the mining licences that have led to the social tensions.

The Cameroonian government recently suspended the issuance, renewal and all other transactions pertaining to small-scale mining across the country. According to reliable sources, the decision taken on May 14, 2014, will cover a period of six months, ending in November 2014.

The Ministry of Mining has indicated that this protective measure aims to put an end to the chaos that has been apparent in small scale mining in Cameroon.