High-Stakes Land Controversy in Yaoundé: Cameroon’s Top Officials Implicated in BAT Dispute

Yaoundé, August 7, 2024 — Cameroon is grappling with a major land scandal that has implicated top government officials and spotlighted dubious administrative practices. The controversy centers on the land holdings of British American Tobacco (BAT) and has exposed what appears to be a high-stakes battle over valuable real estate.

The saga began on February 13, 1947, when BAT, then known as J. Bastos d'Afrique Centrale, initiated the registration process for an 18.33-hectare plot in Yaoundé’s prestigious Bastos district. By May 26, 1950, a decree from the high commissioner had converted this provisional concession into a permanent one. The official land title N°175 was issued on March 10, 1953, affirming BAT's ownership of the property. For over 70 years, BAT enjoyed tranquil ownership, occasionally selling off parcels to shareholders.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn on March 29, 2023, when Henri Eyebe Ayissi, the Minister of Domains, Cadastre, and Land Affairs (Mindcaf), initiated a series of administrative moves aimed at stripping BAT of its land. The process accelerated in March 2024, with Eyebe Ayissi citing a report from the Mfoundi prefect that challenged the land’s valuation from 1949. This led to the reallocation of over four hectares of BAT’s land to families represented by the controversial lawyer Chi Nouako, who is also implicated in the Dikolo land scandal in Douala.

The situation escalated further on June 20, 2024, when Mindcaf issued decree N°01683, stripping BAT of the entirety of its 18-hectare property. This decision effectively initiated a land grab benefiting influential figures, including Samuel Mvondo Ayolo, director of the presidential cabinet, as well as Chi Nouako Mathieu and Chi Nouako Olivier, both prominent in legal circles.

The swiftness and opacity of the judicial and administrative processes have raised significant concerns. Titles were reportedly issued at unprecedented speeds, sometimes on the same day as court rulings, allegedly with the complicity of cadastre officials. The scandal prompted a high-level intervention from President Paul Biya, who on July 23, via Secretary General of the Presidency Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, ordered the creation of a mixed commission of gendarmes and police to conduct a thorough investigation into the land seizure and related infringements on private and state property.

Just three days later, on July 26, President Biya took further action, directing Mindcaf to annul decree N°01683. This move underscores the gravity of the situation, which Biya seems to equate with the high-profile assassination of journalist Martinez Zogo.

BAT has been proactive in its response. The company has announced that it is pursuing diplomatic, legal, and administrative avenues to protect its interests while reaffirming its commitment to Cameroon’s rule of law. This case highlights systemic issues within land governance in Cameroon and exposes entrenched corruption within administrative circles. It also reflects ongoing power struggles at the highest levels of government, as various interest groups vie for control over valuable land resources.

The outcome of the presidentially mandated investigation will be crucial, potentially impacting BAT’s property rights, foreign investor confidence in Cameroon, and the government’s credibility in land management. As the country faces numerous economic and social challenges, this scandal underscores the urgent need for comprehensive land governance reform and a robust anti-corruption framework.