News on Land

Indigenous communities facing an upsurge in land grabs, water shortages and human rights violations as a result of the Cop26 deal have accused world leaders of sacrificing them in order to postpone meaningful climate action and shield corporate profits.

Over the last two weeks, world leaders gathered in Glasgow, Scotland – home of the first industrial revolution – to find a tangible solution to growing climate change issues. The 26th United Nations Global Climate Change Conference (COP26) urged both developed and developing countries to shift from coal-based energy to clean energy by rewiring investments from fossil fuel to environmentally friendly solutions. As a result of this significant pledge, Mongolia and other coal-dependent countries’ long-term economic strategies will be deeply affected.

After two decades of independence, development in Timor-Leste is exemplified by growing economic activity in Dili, the country’s capital city. Businesses are emerging on various corners, new infrastructure and public buildings are being constructed, and much improved information and communication technology has opened doors for the service sector and private enterprises to grow.

“Gold mining is one (of the) most destructive industries in the world. It can displace communities, contaminate drinking water, hurt workers, and destroy pristine environments. It pollutes water and land with mercury and cyanide, endangering the health of people and ecosystems.”

Land disputes are one of the contested issues inherited the tribal districts, but after the merger, it has been constantly erupting into violence due to the government’s inactiveness. These disputes could be broadly categorized as 1) between individuals, 2) between tribes, 3) and government and the locals. Meanwhile, the lack of government interest in establishing a land record is not only the reason behind the violence, but an impediment to the progress of the tribal society.

Government has introduced the new securitised A2 Model Settlement Permit with advanced security features to curb fake offer letters.

This follows the emergence of land ownership disputes countrywide with people in some cases vying for occupation of farms using different offer letters.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka yesterday said holders of valid old offer letters would be advised on where and when to collect their new securitised settlement permits.

The government has urged all individuals and entities that have encroached on forest reserve land to vacate and not wait for eviction notices.

Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu has said that everyone is required to abide by the law and follow laid down procedures that guide the protection of forest reserves.

ECONOMYNEXT – Land owned by Sri Lanka railways will be offered for private developers for investment, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said presenting a budget speech.

“I propose to obtain investments through public-private partnerships and local and international sources to implement mixed development projects comprising of shopping malls, financial services, hotels, office facilities, cinema halls, entertainment centres [and] apartments,” he said in a budget for 2022.

He said some lands owned by Department of Railways are currently not being utilized productively.

In 2014, the Kavango region was divided into two regions – East and West. At the time, the Namibian government, during president Hifikepunye Pohamba's tenure, justified the move saying the region was too large and dividing it would enhance service delivery. This remains to be seen: Kavango West remains the most rural and one of the poorest regions in Namibia.

Le ministre de l’Équipement, M. Hamadou Adamou Souley a présidé le 9 novembre 2021 à Niamey, la cérémonie de lancement de la mise en œuvre de la Politique Foncière Rurale au Niger et de son plan d’actions 2021-2025. Plusieurs acteurs impliqués dans l’élaboration de cette Politique et la mise en œuvre du plan d’actions ont pris part à cette cérémonie, dont des membres du Gouvernement, le représentant des partenaires techniques et financiers, le secrétaire permanent du Code Rural, etc.

The issue of land, especially its redistribution, remains contentious in South Africa 27 years after the formal end of apartheid. Land redistribution was promised at the end of apartheid. The failure of the African National Congress (ANC) government to do so is emblematic of its failure to fundamentally transform the country.

A recent report released by the United Nations revealed that 74% of speaking time at the U.N. climate talk negotiations is taken up by men.