Abstract
Forest products (especially timber) are one of Cameroon’s main foreign exchange earners, accounting for up to 25% of yearly export revenue. This natural resource, which constitutes more than 20 million hectares of tropical rainforest, is found mainly in the South East region of the country, inhabited by one of the two indigenous groups - the Pygmies. The control and exploitation of this timber especially at the industrial (concession) level is overwhelmingly undertaken by the Cameroonian State in collaboration with trans-national logging companies, both of which reap huge revenue and profits from the business. In the last few years, the Pygmies have been demanding for equitable access and control in logging operations. Simultaneously, there have been reported widespread illegal and unsustainable logging practices in the region with the corresponding adverse impacts on the people and environment. Although previous studies have examined this situation, there has been no systematic study of the equity issues of the logging operations, particularly from the perspective of the collective rights of the Pygmies under international law. This thesis therefore aims to assess whether changes need to be made to the legal regime governing forests in South East Cameroon in order to (a) promote the sustainable management of these forests (including but not limited to the elimination of illegal logging) and (b) ensure that in line with international law, their Pygmy inhabitants have a fairer level of participation in their management and control, adequate compensation for the damage and loss suffered as a result of logging operations and a fairer share of the profits they produce.