ABSTRACT
Contemporary global debates on land reform in Sub-Saharan Africa are calling for policy measures to protect and formalize community-based land rights, such as those that exist under traditional tenure systems. Indeed, several African countries already have in place fairly strong legal provisions that recognize customary-based land rights. But in many cases, the law is used poorly – privileging leases to agro-investors at the expense of rural farming communities. For instance, in Mozambique, communities in the district of Marracune, located 35 km south of the country’s capital Maputo, are seeing increased pressure on land use, as local authorities prioritize investments from outside growers and housing developers. This close proximity to Maputo also makes the area a target of city dwellers with rising incomes, looking to buy second homes. In response, the National Union of Mozambican Peasants (UNAC) has assisted over 5,000 Marracune farmers to learn about the land law, and how to officially register their lands in order to obtain land titles. This participatory approach to safeguarding peasant land-use rights matters. It demonstrates that appropriate solutions can emerge when marginalized people are given a real voice and capacity to engage with authorities and the outside world. This can tip the balance in shifting power relations and poor practices in land governance.
