(Ecofin Agency) - Baba Akhib Haïdara, Ombudsman of the Republic of Mali, believes the answer to land issues faced by the country revolves around three points, which are: cadaster, a more appropriate land reform and a fairer compensation policy in case of expropriation. The official said this on June 28, during a press conference to present its 2016 report.

“In regards to state domain management and land tenure, most issues arise from the contesting of land right; non-respect of expropriation procedure in the instance of use of public property; infringement of laws for the purge of customary rights; land titles overlapping. He also referred to the illegal use of private state-owned real estate property; awarding of deeds for inexistent plots, degradation of the banks of the Niger River, among others,” reports Mali Actu. “In this framework, the Ombudsman suggested the implementation of the land registry or cadaster to considerably reduce land conflicts; the implementation of land reform project; fair and beforehand compensation prior to expropriation in the case of use of public property,” the news website added.

Besides land issue, the annual report also looked at the legal system and social protection.

Souha Touré