Navigating Indigene-Settler Conflicts in Fako Division, Cameroon

Abstract

This study investigates the drivers, management strategies, and challenges of indigene-settler conflicts

in Fako Division, Cameroon, a region marked by historical colonial legacies, rapid demographic

change, and socio-political complexity. Adopting a qualitative methodology, the research draws on

semi-structured interviews with seventeen purposively selected participants, including traditional

leaders, government officials, civil society actors, and community members from both indigene and

settler backgrounds. Thematic analysis reveals that disputes over land ownership deeply intertwined

with identity and cultural heritage are the primary source of conflict, exacerbated by cultural

misunderstandings, political manipulation, and economic rivalry. Traditional authorities are widely

regarded as the most trusted mediators, while formal legal and state mechanisms are often perceived as

slow, biased, and lacking legitimacy. Community-based organizations and NGOs contribute positively,

especially in peace education, but their impact is limited by resource constraints and inconsistent

engagement. Key obstacles to effective conflict management include ambiguous land tenure laws,

political interference, weakened traditional institutions, and the exclusion of youth and women from

peace processes. The study concludes that sustainable peace in Fako Division requires a holistic, multi-

stakeholder approach that integrates traditional and formal systems, strengthens community-based

mechanisms, reforms land governance, and actively involves marginalized groups. These findings

contribute to a broader understanding of identity-based conflicts in postcolonial African societies and

inform policy recommendations for inclusive and context-sensitive peacebuilding.