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Socfin Group Approach \u2013 Cambodia, Cameroon & Sierra Leone<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In several countries where the Socfin Group operates, legacy land situations<\/strong>, sometimes long-standing and complex, have given rise to tensions with neighboring or Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n In response to these situations, the Group has made a strategic choice to prioritize:<\/p>\n This approach is now fully embedded in the Group\u2019s social and environmental governance and forms part of our commitments to due diligence, respect for human rights and regulatory compliance, as well as our long-term strategy.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.socfin.com\/dashboard\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7.2.1.-Reunions-du-Comite-tripartite-sous-la-presidence-de-lHCDH-des-Nations-Unies-Cambodge–scaled.jpg” title_text=”7.2.1. R\u00e9unions du Comit\u00e9 tripartite sous la pr\u00e9sidence de l\u2019HCDH des Nations Unies, Cambodge” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||162px|||” custom_padding=”|||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-67px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n Context<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2009 and 2010, the Cambodian State granted several Economic Land Concessions (ELCs)<\/strong> to Socfin-KCD in the commune of Bousra, Mondulkiri Province. Subsequently, in 2013, a third ELC was granted to Coviphama. These concessions partially overlapped with areas traditionally used by the Bunong Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n This situation led to land-related disputes, which were widely publicized, and to persistent misunderstandings between the parties.<\/p>\n The CLAIM Mediation Process (Cambodian Land Dispute Independent Mediation)<\/em>, supervised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In 2016, an independent mediation process was launched with the support of the Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG)<\/em> program.<\/p>\n The mediation was conducted by the Independent Mediation Group (IMG)<\/em>, with the participation of local authorities and the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).<\/em><\/p>\n 5 of the 7 Bunong communities participated directly in the process: Pu Teut, Pu Raing, Bousra, Pu Char and Pu Lu. The 6th community did not hold land within the concession area, and the seventh chose to pursue judicial proceedings.\u00a0 The CLAIM Mediation Evaluation Report (MRLG, 2022)<\/a>\u00a0describes this process as:<\/p>\n \u201c…one of the most advanced examples of land mediation involving Indigenous communities and a private company in Southeast Asia.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Final agreement and implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n The process resulted in the signing of 26 agreements and the publication of a Joint Statement<\/a> on 27 September 2022 by all stakeholders, formalizing in particular:<\/p>\n The MRLG report highlights a significant reduction in tensions<\/strong>, a restoration of trust<\/strong>, and the creation of a replicable model<\/strong> for the region.<\/p>\n Today<\/strong>, the commitments arising from this agreement continue to be implemented and constitute the reference framework for local relations.<\/p>\n Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n Context<\/strong><\/p>\n In Cameroon, Socapalm plantations operate under emphyteutic leases concluded with the State. Some of these leases, partly inherited from periods prior to privatisation, have resulted over time in irregular occupations<\/strong>, encroachments<\/strong> and conflicts of use, particularly in non-cultivated areas.<\/p>\n State-led institutional process<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2017, at Socapalm request, the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure (MINDCAF) <\/em>established a working group<\/strong>, later transformed into a technical committee<\/strong>, tasked with auditing the land tenure situation and proposing sustainable solutions in collaboration with local communities.<\/p>\n This process includes in particular:<\/p>\n The works have now been completed or are in the finalisation phase depending on the site (Ed\u00e9a, Kienk\u00e9, Mbongo, Mbambou, Dibombari<\/a>, Es\u00e9ka<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n Objectives of the Cameroonian process:<\/p>\n This process is led by the competent Cameroonian public authorities and follows an institutional, progressive and regulated approach.<\/p>\nGroup framework and principles<\/h3>\n
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Cambodia \u2013 Independent mediation in the Commune of Bousra (2018 to present)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Cameroon \u2013 Land tenure review and coexistence with neighboring communities (since 2017)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Sierra Leone \u2013 Institutionalized community dialogue through a Memorandum of Understanding<\/h3>\n