Jose Negrao died on 9 July 2005, aged 49. He was one of the most important intellectuals and researchers in Mozambique, was a leading figure in the Land Campaign and a strong defender of peasant land rights. We publish this interview with him in recognition of and in mourning a great and truly independent fighter who did not conform to what others expected but always pursued his own way. He was hugely influential during the Land Campaign and his success then derived from the fact that people trusted his integrity and his independence.

Statement of principles adopted at NLC policy summit in June 2000 on the above subjects plus cross cutting issues.

Introduction and background, by Julian Quan (DFID); Piloting local administration of records in Ekuthuleni, KwaZulu-Natal, by Donna Hornby (AFRA, South Africa); Ivory Coast’s Plan Foncier Rural: lessons from a pilot project to register customary rights, by Camilla Toulmin (IIED); Customary land identification and recording in Mozambique, by Chris Tanner; Supporting local rights: will the centre let go?

Civil society formations in Africa have historically played an important part in the establishment of organising people in the pursuit of common goals. The majority of Africa’s people reside in rural areas where they derive their livelihoods from land, and for this majority secure access to land is the foundation of any efforts to alleviate poverty. Land reforms in Africa are at various stages of development in a number of countries, partly in response to pressures for liberalisation and privatisation from the World Bank and other like-minded institutions.

Covers why indigenous and community land rights matter for everyone; progress or retreat? What is happening on the ground; what do we need to change?

Globalisation impacts on local land markets and land-use, land transaction costs affect food prices, and the combined effect is particularly damaging to women who produce food and put food on the table for their families. Article examines what is attracting investors and market speculators into the farm and land sectors; what is at stake for small farmers – especially women farmers – and long-term impacts for food production and food security; and what action is needed to enable women to secure access to natural resource and land assets for current and future generations?

Contains summary of proceedings, discussions and feedback, and list of resolutions. Topics include the need for reform, the road map to land reform, framework for stakeholder support – funding arrangements, urban land reform.

Calls on the World Bank to freeze for 6 months all lending to projects that involve or enable agricultural large-scale land acquisitions. Includes an opportunity cost too high, the pivotal role of the World Bank, vital areas for progress, time to call a halt, recommendations.

Chapters include the land question, land policy issues, constitutional reform, land reform issues, land use management principles, land administration, land issues requiring special intervention, institutional framework, support agencies, land policy implementation framework, proposed organizational structure. This draft contains numerous corrections to the text, but the policy making process appears to have become stalled in the current crises. It has recently been made public thanks to the assertiveness of the Kenya Land Alliance.

ODI’s Humanitarian Policy Group held an event to explore the role that land issues have played in the current crisis in Kenya. The HPG Policy Brief released to coincide with the event argues that it is essential that humanitarian actors understand land issues as they seek to assist displaced populations and facilitate the process of return or resettlement.

Contains introduction; resources and civil war in South Sudan; the Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Movement and the land question; issues for discussion and further study; the future of customary tenure; conclusions.

Examines the role of development finance institutions in land grabbing – the World Bank group, the African Development Bank group, IFAD, European development finance institutions, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Looks at international efforts to react to calls to stop land grabbing, makes recommendations.