In response to recent statements by the Kadadibu Community alleging that the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) had denied the validity of a community resolution related to the Bafang Geothermal Development Project and expressing concerns regarding the application of relevant regulations and the recognition of community self-determination decisions, the CIP has clarified, “The CIP has never declared any resolution adopted by the Kadadibu Community meeting invalid, nor has it issued any administrative decision determining such a resolution to be invalid.”

The CIP explained that, as the competent authority for indigenous affairs legislation, it provides interpretations based on existing laws, regulations, and institutional frameworks. The content of its official responses is intended solely to clarify how current laws and systems should be applied, assisting local governments in understanding procedural requirements and evaluation standards. Such responses do not constitute determinations regarding the facts of individual cases or the validity of community resolutions. Determinations regarding the facts of individual cases and the validity of community meeting resolutions should be made by the competent township office in accordance with the Regulations Governing Consultations and Obtaining Consent from Indigenous Communities. Such determinations should take into account factors including the nature of the development project, the scope of its impact, and the relationship to the affected community, and should be made prudently based on the specific circumstances of each case.

The CIP further noted that, in recent years, various sectors have offered numerous recommendations regarding the operation of the consultation and consent mechanism, community governance needs, and relevant judicial interpretations. The CIP has undertaken institutional reviews and legal revisions therefore, and will continue related work in line with policy developments. These efforts aim to improve the system's suitability for different cultural structures and governance models among indigenous communities while, under the framework of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, balancing community autonomy, procedural justice, and institutional stability, and further strengthening the consultation and consent mechanism.