Colonial legacies, land policies and the millennium development goals: Lessons from Cameroon and Sierra Leone

This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the land policies of Cameroon and Sierra Leone and arrives at the following conclusions: 1] the land policies of the two countries embody the politico-administrative philosophies of their erstwhile colonial master nations; 2] despite their marked differences, the policies share some features in common; and 3] land policies are critical in efforts to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs). The analysis further shows that: 1] the land policy of Sierra appears better positioned than Cameroon’s to guarantee access to land for all as well as ensure environmental sustainability; and 2] Cameroon’s land policy appears to outperform Sierra Leone’s with respect to fulfilling the preconditions for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by ensuring land tenure security, maintaining uniform land laws, and facilitating land markets.

► The paper analyzes land laws/policies in Cameroon and Sierra Leone. ► Land policies in both countries are found to be a legacy of colonialism. ► Progress of the policies toward the millennium development goals is assessed. ► Sierra Leone’s policies appear more environmentally conscious than Cameroon’s. ► Cameroon’s policies appear better positioned for poverty/hunger eradication.