Cameroon: Dangote Cement Faces Legal Setbacks in Contentious Land Dispute

The unfolding saga, marked by allegations of abusive expropriation and disregard for property rights, underscores the challenges faced by both the company and affected landowners.

The genesis of the dispute traces back to Dangote's plans for the construction of a second cement plant, which necessitated the acquisition of land in the vicinity of Nomayos. However, the company's purported concession allocation of a 7-hectare plot at Nomayos soon became mired in controversy when it emerged that a portion of the land, totaling 4173 square meters, was already titled to individual landowners since 2014.

Amid accusations of unlawful expropriation and failure to compensate affected parties, legal proceedings were initiated against Dangote before the courts of Ngoumou in Mefou and Akono. The culmination of these proceedings came on January 29, 2024, when magistrates ruled in favor of the landowners, ordering Dangote to vacate the disputed land and provide compensation to the victims. Despite the verdict, Dangote opted to appeal the decision, signaling its intent to continue the legal battle.

However, the company's legal woes did not end there. On January 30, 2024, Dangote Cement Cameroon SA lodged a complaint with the National Communication Council (CNC) against the newspaper "L'Activateur" following the publication of an article titled "ATTACKS ON LAND AND MOBILITY PROPERTY: DANGOTE TRADE IN COURT." The article, penned by a journalist, highlighted the alleged abuses perpetrated by Dangote in its pursuit of land for the cement plant.

In a significant blow to Dangote's legal strategy, the CNC delivered its verdict on February 23, 2024, dismissing the company's complaint and affirming the journalistic integrity of the article. The CNC's ruling upheld the professional standards of investigation and information processing employed by the journalist, further underscoring the legitimacy of the concerns raised regarding Dangote's conduct in the land dispute.

This latest development marks the second legal setback for Dangote in the ongoing saga, casting doubt on the company's approach to land acquisition and its commitment to respecting property rights. As the dispute continues to unfold, stakeholders await further developments with keen interest, mindful of the broader implications for land governance and corporate accountability in Cameroon.