The meeting participants shared personal experiences from Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and other African countries, highlighting how communities are losing ancestral lands, facing forced relocation, suffering from environmental pollution, inadequate compensation and limited participation in decision-making that directly affect their lives. They stressed that communities should not be seen as an obstacle to development, but should be recognized as the legitimate custodians of their lands, whose voices should be heard before any mining or infrastructure development project is approved.
Tricia Abbwoli, a lawyer working for GreenFaith Africa in Uganda, raised a number of urgent issues, including the forced relocation of families without meaningful consultation, the loss of ancestral lands, cultural heritage and traditional livelihoods, as well as environmental pollution affecting the health of communities, especially women and children. Abbuoli noted that the compensation packages do not take into account long-term social, cultural and economic losses, and also pointed to weak legal protection, limited access to justice and lack of transparency regarding mining licenses, geological information and development agreements.
Examples of resistance and successful advocacy by the Hanyan community were highlighted at the meeting. Participants from the Hanyanya community in Bikita, Zimbabwe, shared experiences of how organized communities have used research, documentation, legal action, and peaceful mobilization to delay harmful projects, achieve improved compensation, and secure commitments to build schools, clinics, and other necessary facilities.
Tapiwa Goregena, the movement's legal adviser in Zimbabwe, called for stronger legal action in cases where governments and corporations fail to meet their obligations. Strategic lawsuits, class action lawsuits, administrative justice processes, and international legal mechanisms were identified as important tools for protecting community rights.
The key message of the meeting was that affected communities should document evidence of land loss, environmental damage, and human rights violations to strengthen future court cases and advocacy efforts. The discussions also highlighted the importance of cross-border solidarity between African communities facing similar challenges. Participants agreed that communities can learn from each other by sharing legal strategies, advocacy experiences, and successful land rights protection models.
Concerns were also raised about international investment agreements and development initiatives, which often prioritize foreign commercial interests while excluding local communities from the decision-making process. Participants called for greater transparency, increased accountability, and legally binding commitments to protect African communities.
The meeting concluded with the identification of several priorities, including raising community awareness of land and environmental rights, increasing access to legal support for affected communities, and building stronger networks among grassroots organizations across Africa. They also called for exploring legal options to challenge harmful mining and development projects and exploring the establishment of public tribunals to ensure that the voices of affected people are taken into account in national and international decision-making. Public organizations have confirmed that sustainable development can be achieved only when local residents receive full consultations, fair compensation and the opportunity to participate in decision-making affecting their land and future.
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