Photo : SocapalmBusiness & Human Right Research Centre | 29 Apr 2025
Socfin's response on Apouh case
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Thank you for contacting us regarding issues the Apouh and Mbonjo communities.
As these two cases are very different in nature we will first provide answers on Apouh and later on Mbonjo.
The Apouh issue is quite complex because there is more to it than “just” a conflict about agrarian land.
Background & Land Title
The parcel at the heart of the Apouh dispute is registered under Land Title No. 195. SOCAPALM (a SOCFIN Group subsidiary) acquired it from SPFS in 2010—unlike most of our operations, which are conducted on leased state concessions, the Édéa plantation is held in freehold. Bordered by the N7 corridor between Édéa (the city) and Kribi, this tract has seen dramatic value appreciation in recent years.
Retrocession Claims
They are based on the concession/rental contract (2000) and its amendment (2005) – copies attached – According to them 24.466 ha were taken out of the concession (at our request), part of which were to be retroceded to the communities of: Dibombari, Bonaléa, Souza, Mbongo, Mbambou, Mbimbe and Ongué. So, you can see the problem here. The retrocession process that was initiated in 2005 didn’t cover the Edéa plantation as it was acquired five years later in 2010.
To be noted: Since then, we do not occupy these lands (the ones to be retroceded), nor exploit them, nor pay rent on them. They are the sole responsibility of the Cameroon state, the owner and only legal entity to decide, manage and conduct the retrocession.
Replanting vs. Expansion
On 25 March 2025, SOCAPALM undertook a scheduled replanting of plots cleared in 2024 but left fallow. This operation strictly maintained the original boundaries of Title No. 195—This was not an extension
Security Forces Presence & Incidents
A previous replanting attempt was disrupted, during which two gendarmes equipped only with radios oversaw the work and SOCAPALM’s material was damaged. For the March 2025 operation, the State (a 22 % shareholder in SOCAPALM) pre-positioned security forces. Thirty gendarmes were on site to prevent trespassing and protect workers on 25 March; the replanting proceeded without incident. On 26 March, demonstrators attempted to breach the security line, prompting gendarmes to deploy tear gas briefly—without causing injuries.
Community Engagement
- Bipartite Forums: In Cameroon, quarterly meetings bring together SOCAPALM, the community chiefs and representatives of the communities (elders, youth and women’s representatives)—often with NGO observers—to discuss community development, grievances and work plans.
- Tripartite Sessions: When state mediation is needed, the local Préfet joins these discussions to ensure formal resolution.
- Situation in Apouh: In 2023, upon retirement from Cameroon’s Supreme Court, Mr. Ditopé became chief of the Apouh community and withdrew from both bipartite and tripartite processes, insisting on one-to-one negotiations and excluding other community voices—contrary to established practice.
Here is the préfet’s opinion about this situation: click here
Participatory Land Survey Efforts
At SOCAPALM’s request, Cameroon’s Cadastre Administration (MINDCAF) launched a participatory survey in 2017 to precisely demarcate concession limits. Chief Ditopé has since blocked Apouh’s involvement, stalling a process that could identify additional areas for voluntary retrocession to local communities.
Context of Land Speculation
The N7 corridor’s escalating real-estate values have added a speculative dimension to the dispute. The parcel’s prime roadside location makes it especially sought-after, underscoring the need for impartial review.
The Édéa/Apouh dispute transcends a simple agrarian conflict. An independent, comprehensive investigation into all stakeholders’ interests should be conducted to understand their motives.
The SOCFIN Group and its subsidiary Socaplam, remain committed to transparency and dialogue.
Thank you for contacting us regarding issues the Apouh and Mbonjo communities.
As these two cases are very different in nature we will first provide answers on Apouh and later on Mbonjo.
The Apouh issue is quite complex because there is more to it than “just” a conflict about agrarian land.
Background & Land Title
The parcel at the heart of the Apouh dispute is registered under Land Title No. 195. SOCAPALM (a SOCFIN Group subsidiary) acquired it from SPFS in 2010—unlike most of our operations, which are conducted on leased state concessions, the Édéa plantation is held in freehold. Bordered by the N7 corridor between Édéa (the city) and Kribi, this tract has seen dramatic value appreciation in recent years.
Retrocession Claims
They are based on the concession/rental contract (2000) and its amendment (2005) – copies attached – According to them 24.466 ha were taken out of the concession (at our request), part of which were to be retroceded to the communities of: Dibombari, Bonaléa, Souza, Mbongo, Mbambou, Mbimbe and Ongué. So, you can see the problem here. The retrocession process that was initiated in 2005 didn’t cover the Edéa plantation as it was acquired five years later in 2010.
To be noted: Since then, we do not occupy these lands (the ones to be retroceded), nor exploit them, nor pay rent on them. They are the sole responsibility of the Cameroon state, the owner and only legal entity to decide, manage and conduct the retrocession.
Replanting vs. Expansion
On 25 March 2025, SOCAPALM undertook a scheduled replanting of plots cleared in 2024 but left fallow. This operation strictly maintained the original boundaries of Title No. 195—This was not an extension
Security Forces Presence & Incidents
A previous replanting attempt was disrupted, during which two gendarmes equipped only with radios oversaw the work and SOCAPALM’s material was damaged. For the March 2025 operation, the State (a 22 % shareholder in SOCAPALM) pre-positioned security forces. Thirty gendarmes were on site to prevent trespassing and protect workers on 25 March; the replanting proceeded without incident. On 26 March, demonstrators attempted to breach the security line, prompting gendarmes to deploy tear gas briefly—without causing injuries.
Community Engagement
- Bipartite Forums: In Cameroon, quarterly meetings bring together SOCAPALM, the community chiefs and representatives of the communities (elders, youth and women’s representatives)—often with NGO observers—to discuss community development, grievances and work plans.
- Tripartite Sessions: When state mediation is needed, the local Préfet joins these discussions to ensure formal resolution.
- Situation in Apouh: In 2023, upon retirement from Cameroon’s Supreme Court, Mr. Ditopé became chief of the Apouh community and withdrew from both bipartite and tripartite processes, insisting on one-to-one negotiations and excluding other community voices—contrary to established practice.
Here is the préfet’s opinion about this situation: click here
Participatory Land Survey Efforts
At SOCAPALM’s request, Cameroon’s Cadastre Administration (MINDCAF) launched a participatory survey in 2017 to precisely demarcate concession limits. Chief Ditopé has since blocked Apouh’s involvement, stalling a process that could identify additional areas for voluntary retrocession to local communities.
Context of Land Speculation
The N7 corridor’s escalating real-estate values have added a speculative dimension to the dispute. The parcel’s prime roadside location makes it especially sought-after, underscoring the need for impartial review.
The Édéa/Apouh dispute transcends a simple agrarian conflict. An independent, comprehensive investigation into all stakeholders’ interests should be conducted to understand their motives.
The SOCFIN Group and its subsidiary Socaplam, remain committed to transparency and dialogue.
