The government of Chad has officially launched land chambers across the country, aiming to improve the resolution of land disputes and enhance security. The launch ceremony took place at the N'Djamena High Court on November 10, 2026, in the presence of Justice Minister Ndolenodji Alixe Naïmbaye and Territorial Planning Minister Mahamat Assileck Halata. This initiative is part of a judicial reform effort, driven by the need to address land-related conflicts affecting families, property security, and urban development.
The establishment of land chambers is a key component of Chad's judicial reform, as outlined in the law n° 010/AN-SENAT/2025 of December 9, 2025. According to the Justice Minister, this development represents a significant advancement for the Chadian judicial system, providing a more effective response to land disputes. The minister emphasized that land disputes affect not only families but also property security and urban development. To support the work of judges, a joint coordination mechanism was set up in August 2026, bringing together representatives from the ministries of justice, territorial planning, and domain, as well as the N'Djamena mayor's office.
The coordination mechanism aims to facilitate access to technical and documentary information for judges, enabling them to examine cases more efficiently. Focal points will be designated in various provinces to ensure smooth communication with jurisdictions. The Justice Minister stressed that the expertise of technical services is meant to aid decision-making, not replace judges' discretion. Judges remain solely responsible for resolving cases independently. The minister also specified that the newly established land chambers are now competent to handle pending land disputes.
The Justice Minister instructed peace judges to transfer cases under the jurisdiction of land chambers to the competent courts, as per the Judicial Organization Code. This concerns disputes related to real rights on registered properties, privileges, and mortgages. Territorial Planning Minister Mahamat Assileck Halata welcomed the completion of a three-year project with the Justice Ministry, acknowledging the persistence of fraudulent practices in some services. He expressed hope that the land chambers will provide more robust and credible responses to citizens' concerns.
The introduction of land chambers marks the beginning of specialized handling of land disputes in Chad. The minister noted that the option of creating a dedicated land tribunal, as seen in some foreign models, was initially considered but ultimately, the land chamber approach was chosen as a first step. While recognizing that this new system will not resolve all land sector difficulties, authorities are counting on collaboration between judges, technical services, and local authorities to improve dispute management.
The Justice Minister urged judges to demonstrate diligence, impartiality, and rigor in handling cases, while encouraging citizens to use legal channels to assert their rights rather than resorting to violence or private justice. The minister emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness of the land chambers. This development is expected to contribute to the prevention of land-related conflicts and promote a more efficient resolution of disputes.
The launch of land chambers in Chad is a significant step towards addressing the country's land disputes and promoting security. The government aims to ensure that the new system will improve the management of land-related conflicts and provide citizens with more effective and credible solutions. The success of this initiative will depend on the collaboration between judges, technical services, and local authorities, as well as the commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights.
Key points
- The Chadian government has launched land chambers to address land disputes and improve security.
- The initiative aims to provide a more effective response to land disputes, which affect families, property security, and urban development.
- The land chambers will work in conjunction with a joint coordination mechanism and focal points in various provinces to facilitate access to technical and documentary information.
