Law and Economy

Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and the Transformation of Forensic Law in Cameroon

2026-08-20T03:56:40+00:00

Artificial intelligence and robotics are no longer features of science fiction. They are reshaping the way justice is investigated, prosecuted, and administered in legal systems around the world, including in Cameroon. This article examines that transformation through a critical and grounded lens, asking not merely what these technologies can do, but whether the law as it currently stands in Cameroon is ready to govern what they do. The article finds that Cameroon currently lacks dedicated legislation governing artificial intelligence and robotics in forensic or judicial contexts. This regulatory vacuum creates serious risks: evidence produced by AI systems lacks clear admissibility standards, liability for errors by autonomous systems is legally indeterminate, and protections for the rights of accused persons are inadequate in the face of automated decision-making. The doctrine of res ipsa loquitur and the concept of legal personhood for AI entities are examined as possible bridges between existing jurisprudence and emerging technological realities. The article concludes by proposing a multi-pronged governance pathway for Cameroon: the enactment of dedicated AI legislation with specific forensic provisions, the establishment of interdisciplinary regulatory bodies, the development of clear liability frameworks for autonomous systems, and the integration of ethical AI principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability into Cameroon’s legal culture.

A Legal Assessment of the Normative Basis for Corporate Social Responsibility in Cameroon

2026-08-20T04:00:20+00:00

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved globally from voluntary philanthropy into a field increasingly shaped by legal obligations, ethical norms, and policy expectations concerning human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development. In Cameroon, however, CSR remains in an embryonic stage, characterized by ad hoc philanthropic activities, limited institutionalization, and the absence of a dedicated, comprehensive CSR statute or national CSR policy. This paper examines the normative basis for corporate social responsibility in Cameroon, interrogating whether CSR in the Cameroonian context is grounded primarily in voluntary corporate discretion, binding legal duties, soft‑law standards, or broader normative orders such as human rights and sustainable development principles. The study employs a doctrinal legal research methodology, analyzing relevant domestic legislation (including Law No. 96/12 of 5 August 1996 on environmental management and implementing decrees), regional business law under the OHADA regime, corporate governance codes such as the GECAM Code of Good Corporate Governance, and applicable international CSR and human rights instruments. It also draws on empirical studies and scholarly literature on CSR practices in Cameroon to contextualize the legal analysis. The findings reveal that while there is no single, coherent CSR law in Cameroon, a fragmented but significant normative framework exists through environmental legislation, labour standards, corporate governance initiatives, and regional business law. These instruments collectively impose duties on enterprises regarding environmental protection, community welfare, and responsible management, thereby providing an implicit normative basis for CSR. However, weak enforcement, limited awareness among local corporations, and the lack of a clear state policy undermine the effectiveness and coherence of this normative framework. The paper argues that a clearer articulation and strengthening of the normative basis for CSR in Cameroon is essential to guide corporate behavior, enhance accountability, and support more coherent regulatory and policy interventions. It recommends that the State consider adopting a strategic CSR policy, clarifying the legal status of CSR obligations, and reinforcing enforcement mechanisms, while also encouraging alignment with international CSR standards. This study contributes to doctrinal clarity on the normative foundations of CSR in Cameroon and informs future law‑ and policy‑making in the field.

Effects of Interest Rates on Socioeconomic Prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa

2026-08-21T08:38:42+00:00

Socioeconomic prosperity remains a critical priority for many countries in the Global South, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where fluctuating interest rates pose significant challenges. This paper examines the impact of interest rates on socioeconomic prosperity across 38 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries from 2003 to 2024, drawing on secondary data from the World Development Indicators. Employing fixed effect models and system generalized method of moments (GMM) to address robustness and potential endogeneity issues, the findings indicate a significant association between interest rates and improvements in socioeconomic prosperity. These results are consistent across estimation methods and align with the perspective that favorable interest rate adjustments enhance productivity. Key policy recommendations emphasis the need to strengthen monetary policy transmission mechanisms through measures such as boosting banking sector competition, enhancing credit information systems, refining regulatory frameworks, and mitigating risk premiums through credit guarantee schemes and improved collateral mechanisms.

Institutional Arbitration in the Resolution of Commercial Disputes in Cameroon: A Case Study of GICAM-CMAG

2026-08-21T08:41:41+00:00

This paper examines the effectiveness of GICAM-CMAG as an arbitral institution in resolving commercial disputes in Cameroon. Institutional arbitration is one of the forms of ADR mechanisms, where parties refer their disputes to and are governed by the rules and procedures of the said institution. Even though it has standard rules which renders an arbitral award binding, it lacks an appellate jurisdiction, which acts as a hindrance to the unsatisfied party to review the case, thus an eventual resort to litigation. However, since the creation of OHADA in 1993, most people are ignorant of the existence of an arbitral institution and most of its rules are in French language causing a difficulty to business persons to better understand the arbitral proceedings like the OHADA Treaty and CMAG Rules. The main objective of this work is to elaborate some resolution mechanisms in resolving commercial disputes and to examine how effective is CMAG in resolving commercial disputes in Cameroon. To attain this objective, the study adopts content analysis of laws especially the CMAG Rules, alongside other legal instruments governing arbitration in Cameroon. Findings of the study reveals that CMAG is an arbitral institution which administers mediation and arbitration procedures, organizes practical training, seminars and conferences. It has created its own internal rules to govern its arbitral proceedings both at the national and international level. Thus, it is apparent to conclude that, even though CMAG has been instrumental since its creation, due to Language barrier and the lack of an appellate jurisdiction, it has acted as a limitation to its functioning. As such the study recommends for an official translation of its rules, the creation of an appellate jurisdiction, and an intensive awareness about the existence of the mediation and arbitration center and its procedural rules in resolving commercial disputes in Cameroon.

The Fight Against Money Laundering Through Shell Companies in Cameroon: A Legal Appraisal

2026-08-21T08:44:52+00:00

Money laundering through shell companies is a major risk to the integrity of financial systems globally, and Cameroon is exposed to this threat through its economic structure, banking system, and regional position within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). This article undertakes a legal appraisal of the fight against money laundering through shell companies in Cameroon. The study examines the conceptual and legal nature of shell companies, distinguishing them from related concepts such as shelf companies, nominee companies, and trusts, and analyses the mechanics of money laundering and the role of shell companies in each stage, particularly in layering and integration. The article then systematically examines the Cameroonian legal and institutional framework on anti‑money laundering, including CEMAC Regulation 01/CEMAC/UMAC/CM of 16 April 2016 on the prevention and suppression of money laundering and of the financing of terrorism in Central Africa, domestic criminal and financial legislation, and OHADA corporate law, including the Revised Uniform Act of 30 January 2014 on Commercial Companies and Economic Interest Groups. The study identifies significant gaps in the current framework, particularly the absence of explicit regulation of shell companies, limited beneficial ownership transparency, weak enforcement capacity, and inadequate institutional coordination between ANIF, COBAC, and law enforcement agencies. The article further analyses the use of shell companies in money laundering in Cameroon, identifying typologies such as false transactions, layering through multiple corporate structures, asset holding and integration, and loan issuance and financial intermediation. The study notes that these typologies are observed in sectors such as real estate, import–export, public procurement, and banking, and underscores the scarcity of documented case law and official typologies in Cameroon. The findings reveal that while Cameroon has established a foundational anti‑money laundering regime, it does not explicitly target shell companies, and significant reforms are needed to strengthen beneficial ownership disclosure, supervision of company formation actors, and enforcement mechanisms. The article proposes legislative reforms to require comprehensive beneficial ownership disclosure and to establish a central registry of beneficial owners, institutional reforms to strengthen the capacity of ANIF, COBAC, and law enforcement agencies, and policy reforms to enhance the supervision of designated non‑financial businesses and professions and align Cameroonian anti‑money laundering practices with international standards, particularly the FATF Recommendations. This study contributes to Cameroonian anti‑money laundering scholarship by foregrounding the specific issue of shell companies as vehicles for money laundering. While existing literature addresses money laundering in Cameroon more broadly, few works focus explicitly on the legal regime governing shell companies and their misuse for illicit financial flows. The findings of this study underscore the need for a comprehensive legal response that addresses incorporation, disclosure, and supervision of corporate vehicles, and that strengthens beneficial ownership transparency and enforcement capacity to reduce the misuse of shell companies for money laundering.

Negotiation: The Pillar of Dispute Settlement in Diplomacy

2026-09-09T08:24:37+00:00

We cannot conveniently discuss the issue of dispute settlement in international politics without exploring the concept of Negotiation. Negotiation is the most important function which is performed by the diplomatic agents (i.e. Ambassadors, Consular agents, Envoys etc). Generally, the head of the diplomatic mission negotiates on various aspects of, on behalf of the sending state with the state to which they are accredited in order to maintain friendly relationship or settle disputes. Diplomatic negotiations explore channels and discussions between parties to a conflict in order to resolve differences and prevent the outbreak of conflict. Negotiation between States is one of the conventional methods of dispute settlement. It basically involves two or more states who through their diplomatic channels (foreign offices) enter into negotiation. Art. 2(3) of the United Nations (UN) charter states that “all members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and Security and justice are not endangered.” This paper examines the dynamics of negotiation and how it helps in resolving disputes amongst parties when they occur especially in international scene. The paper adopted doctrinal method where the relevant primary and Secondary Sources were used. It was found that negotiations as a conventional method of resolving international disputes, is effective as it provides the platform for states (big or small) to ventilate their feelings. Though it has been criticized for excessive publicity and power politics. It concluded that negotiation empowered parties themselves to steer the process and sharpen its outcome to deliver mutually acceptable settlement. It can either be through direct negotiation or institutional negotiations. It recommends that states should adopt the option of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) first when dispute arises between them. States involved in dispute should submit themselves to the methods of negotiation or other forms such as enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration as stipulated in Art. 33 of the United Nations Charter.