A critical appraisal of law reform in Cameroon: Pluralism and harmonisation of laws

• Jurisdiction: South Africa
• Citation: (2019) 6(1) Journal of Comparative Law in Africa 28
• Pages: 28-54
• Date: 16 August 2019
• Published date: 16 August 2019

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A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF LAW REFORM

IN CAMEROON: PLURALISM AND

HARMONISATION OF LAWS

Mikano Emmanuel Kiye*

Abstract

This paper, through conceptual and practical analyses, unravels the challenges

posed to the Cameroonian legal system by the existence of multiple and divergent

values. It addresses the challenges associated with law reform in the polity and

advocates for an alternative approach to reform, which is holistic and practical in

nature. Cameroon’s legal system is mostly a relic of colonialism and consists of

multiple divergent values that interact with each other. Among these values are civil

law derived from France, common law received from England and customary law

that has, hitherto, been in existence prior to colonialism. The differences between

these values are insurmountable, and have led to tensions and frictions which

have, in turn, made incidences of conflict of laws and forum shopping inevitable.

The situation is compounded by the fact that, although being a unitary state, the

laws are applicable in the entity as if it consisted of several different territories.

While acknowledging the laudable initiatives toward reform, the paper questions

the rationality and objectivity underlying the policies adopted, consisting mostly

of the harmonisation of received laws and the restriction of customary jurisdiction.

Law reform has been problematic: harmonisation is at the verge of establishing a

uni-jural system founded on civil laws; restriction of customary jurisdiction has

fragmented the legal process; and law reform has failed to completely eradicate

conflict of laws and forum shopping. The paper calls for alternative approaches

that, among others, equally reflect the country’s inherited traditions while also

strengthening the role of customary law.

Keywords: law reform, conflict of laws, forum shopping, harmonisation,

pluralism

Résumé

Cet article, à travers des analyses conceptuelles et pratiques, décrypte les différents

défis posés au système juridique camerounais par l’existence de normes multiples

et divergentes. Il aborde les problèmes liés à la réforme du droit dans le système

politique et préconise une approche alternative de la réforme, qui soit de nature

holistique et pratique. Le système juridique camerounais est principalement

un vestige du colonialisme et se compose de multiples normes divergentes qui

interagissent les unes avec les autres. Parmi ces normes figurent le droit romano-

germanique issu de la France ; le droit anglo-saxon reçu de l’Angleterre ; et le droit

coutumier, qui existait bien avant le colonialisme. Les différences entre ces normes

* Lecturer, Department of English Law, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, South West

Region, Cameroon, mikano2@hotmail.com (+237) 676 926811.

(2019) 6(1) Journal of Comparative Law in Africa 28

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A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF LAW REFORM IN CAMEROON: PLURALISM AND

HARMONISATION OF LAWS 29

sont insurmontables et ont entraîné des tensions et des frictions qui ont rendu

inévitables les conflits de lois et le forum-shopping. La situation est aggravée par

le fait que, bien qu’étant un État unitaire, les lois sont applicables dans un même

espace juridique comme si celui-ci était composé de plusieurs territoires différents.

Tout en reconnaissant les initiatives louables en faveur d’une réforme, l’article

s’interroge sur la rationalité et l’objectivité sous-tendant les politiques adoptées,

consistant principalement à harmoniser les droits reçus et à limiter la juridiction

coutumière. La réforme du droit a été problématique : l’harmonisation est sur le

point d’instaurer un système unifié se basant principalement sur le droit romano-

germanique ; la limitation du droit coutumier a fragmenté le processus juridique ;

et la réforme du droit n’a pas réussi à éliminer complètement les conflits de lois et

le forum shopping. L’article préconise des approches alternatives qui, entre autres,

reflèteraient de manière égale les traditions héritées par le pays tout en renforçant

le rôle du droit coutumier.

Mots-clés: réforme du droit, conflit de lois, forum shopping, harmonisation,

pluralisme

Introduction

The state of Cameroon’s legal system makes conflict of laws inevitable.

The legal system consists of a mosaic of rules applicable as if the country

consisted of several different territories: civil laws are applicable in the

former East Cameroon; common laws (and Nigerian laws) in the former

West Cameroon; and harmonised laws and international laws are applicable

throughout the territory. Customary laws are applicable in the territories

of the various ethnic groups. There exist differences between some of these

values leading to conflict of laws and forum shopping. These challenges have

provoked law reforms, which have generated controversies.

Following the defeat of Germany during World War 1, Cameroon

came under the control of Britain and France.1 The Anglo-French

domination led to the importation of extraneous values into Cameroon:

civil laws in the former East (or Francophone) Cameroon and common

laws and Nigerian laws in the former West (or Anglophone) Cameroon.2

Customary laws, hitherto in existence, remained applicable in the

territories.3 At independence, the status quo prevailing during colonialism

1 Cameroon was annexed by Germany on 12 July 1884. During World War 1, the Germans

were defeated and forced out of Cameroon by the British and French. The territory was then

divided and administered as two separate entities by the victorious powers: French East Cameroon

and British West Cameroon. See Victor Julius Ngoh History of Cameroon since 1800 (1996) 60-62.

2 Article 9 of the Mandate, and later Trusteeship Agreement, empowered the victor ious power s

to introduce their systems of law and administration into their respective territories.

3 Customar y law refers to the body of law deriving from established local customs of a tribe or

community. It includes ancient usages and observances (sometimes rooted in divine beliefs) generally

accepted and practised by the people that they have formed a body of standardised patterns of behaviour

and acquired the force of law. See Carlson Anyangwe The Cameroonian Judicial System (1987) 9.

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