An Assessment of the Role the Land Consultative Board in the Resolution of Land Disputes in Cameroon

Abstract

Land disputes in Cameroon persist as a major threat to governance and social stability, driven by tensions between statutory law and customary tenure. To address these conflicts, the Land Consultative Board (LCB) was created as an administrative and advisory body for dispute resolution, especially in cases of land registration and competing claims. This study critically evaluates the LCB’s legal foundation, functions, and effectiveness through doctrinal analysis of legislation, regulations, case law, and scholarly literature. Findings show that while the LCB is pivotal in promoting procedural legality, mediating claims, and bridging statutory–customary divides, its impact is undermined by its non‑binding authority, weak institutional capacity, and poor integration into the broader justice framework. The study argues that strengthening the LCB through legal reforms, clearer recognition of customary claims, enhanced institutional resources, and stakeholder coordination is essential for building efficient, equitable, and sustainable land governance in Cameroon.