Law and Economy

Safeguarding the Rights of Women in Armed Conflicts: An Appraisal of the Armed Conflict in the Anglophone Cameroon

Dr. Kwebe Augustine Nkwiyir — 2026-02-11

Armed conﬂicts disproportionately affect women, exposing them to heightened risks of sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, economic marginalization, and exclusion from peace processes. This study examines the effectiveness of safeguarding the rights of women in the context of the Anglophone Cameroon armed conﬂict. Adopting a doctrinal and qualitative research methodology, the study analyses relevant international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and regional legal frameworks alongside documented practices in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon. The findings reveal a significant gap between Cameroon’s formal legal obligations and their practical implementation, resulting in persistent violations of women’s rights by both state and non-state actors. The study further finds that weak accountability mechanisms, institutional fragmentation, limited humanitarian access, and the marginalization of women from peace and security initiatives have undermined effective protection. The paper concludes that safeguarding women’s rights in the Anglophone conﬂict remains largely ineffective and argues that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without placing women’s protection and participation at the center of conﬂict response and peace-building efforts. The study contributes to existing scholarship by providing a context-specific legal appraisal of women’s rights protection in a protracted non-international armed conﬂict and offers policy-oriented recommendations aimed at bridging the gap between law and practice.

The Relationship Between Research Permits and Patent Applications in Kenya over Ten Years (2014-2023)

Hope Kilwake — 2026-02-25

This study sought to establish the relationship between research permits granted and the number of patents registered over 10 years in Kenya from 2014 to 2023. Over that period, Kenya ranked at number ten in Africa in terms of patents granted and very low in world rankings compared to South Africa, which ranked number 17 in the world. Data on research permits granted in Kenya, as well as patents registered was obtained from various sources. For purposes of comparing permits obtained and patents registered, only research permits granted in the sciences were considered. Results showed an increasing trend in the number of research permits obtained as well as in patents registered. Over the ten years, the relationship between research permits obtained and patents registered was represented by the equation Y= 0.0062X + 3.9473. The constant was interpreted as a ‘carry over’ effect due to delays in processing patents. All in all, very few patents are registered in Kenya as compared to the number of research permits granted.

Navigating Crime and Punishment in Mbumland (1779-1996): An Analysis of Indigenous, Colonial, and Post-Colonial Justice Systems

Elvis Bantar Kubi — 2026-02-25

Justice is a central pillar of social order, and its administration reﬂects the historical, cultural, and institutional realities of a society. This study examines crimes and punishment in Mbumland between 1779 and 1996 through a historical analysis of indigenous, colonial, and post-colonial justice systems. Employing a qualitative historical methodology grounded in legal pluralism, the research draws on archival materials, doctrinal analysis, and relevant secondary literature to trace the evolution of justice administration across these three interconnected periods. The findings reveal that pre-colonial justice in Mbumland was largely community-centered and reconciliation-oriented, prioritizing restitution and social cohesion in addressing crimes and punishment; the colonial era introduced codified laws and formal courts that reshaped indigenous justice systems; and the post-colonial period inherited and reconfigured this dual structure, resulting in a plural justice framework marked by jurisdictional overlaps and institutional tensions. The study argues that the effectiveness of crimes and punishment in Mbumland has historically depended less on punitive severity and more on legitimacy, accessibility, and structural coherence. By offering a localized and periodized examination of justice systems in Mbumland, this research contributes to broader historical perspectives on the interaction between indigenous, colonial, and post-colonial legal orders and their enduring implications for justice administration.

Italy’s Artificial Intelligence Act and Global AI Governance: The EU Model’s Practice and Prospects

Sirong Yu — 2026-02-25

The Italian Artificial Intelligence Act, enacted on September 17, 2025, represents the first comprehensive national implementation of the European Union’s AI Act. This study examines the Italian legislation through the theoretical lens of multi-level governance, analyzing its dual function as both a “bridging legislation” that translates EU framework into domestic practice and a site of significant regulatory innovation. Through detailed textual analysis and case studies, particularly in healthcare AI, this research investigates how Italy has navigated the complex interplay between supranational standardization and national specificity. The findings reveal that Italy has not merely passively transposed the EU AI Act but has actively engaged in “normative localization,” refining the risk-based approach with distinctive national characteristics—such as stringent safeguards for cultural heritage and tailored provisions for small and medium enterprises. The study further explores Italy’s creation of a coordinated regulatory architecture involving multiple existing authorities and its development of a multi-layered enforcement regime that innovatively combines administrative, civil, and criminal liabilities. The Italian approach demonstrates a sophisticated balancing of legal certainty through clear prohibitions and regulatory flexibility through adaptive tools like regulatory sandboxes. This analysis contributes to theoretical understanding of implementation dynamics in multi-level governance systems and offers practical insights for other jurisdictions developing AI governance frameworks. The Italian experience suggests that effective AI governance requires both principled foundation and contextual adaptation, providing valuable lessons for global AI governance amid ongoing technological evolution and regulatory competition.

Ensuring Electricity Reliability and Consumer Protection in Cameroon: A Corporate Law and Regulatory Governance Perspective

Dr. Nchofua Anita Nyitioseh — 2026-03-23

This article examines the critical challenges facing Cameroon’s electricity sector, with a particular focus on power reliability and consumer protection from a corporate law and regulatory governance perspective. Cameroon’s electricity infrastructure is characterized by frequent power outages, limited generation capacity, and aging facilities, which undermine the sector’s ability to meet national energy demands effectively. These structural deficiencies are further compounded by weaknesses in corporate governance, regulatory oversight, and accountability mechanisms within electricity service providers. Through an analysis of the existing legal and regulatory framework governing the electricity sector, including the roles of key institutions such as the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEL), state-owned entities, and private operators, this study identifies governance gaps that contribute to service unreliability and inadequate consumer protection. It argues that the absence of enforceable consumer rights standards and weak corporate accountability leave electricity consumers with limited remedies in cases of prolonged outages, service fluctuations, and unfair billing practices. In this light, adopting an in-depth content analysis based on primary and secondary sources of data collection is imperative to achieve our goal. The article proposes legal and policy reforms grounded in corporate law principles, including enhanced regulatory oversight, increased investment through public-private partnerships, diversification of energy sources with an emphasis on renewables, and the adoption of a comprehensive Consumer Rights Charter for the electricity sector. This will go a long way to contribute to the development of a more reliable, accountable, and consumer-oriented electricity sector capable of supporting sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life in Cameroon.

Mitigating Systemic Risks and Freedom of Expression According to the Digital Services Act Model

Dimitris Liakopoulos — 2026-03-23

The present paper aims to investigate the co-regulatory model of Regulation 2022/2065 for mitigating systemic risks arising from disinformation. The ultimate goal, according to the European legislator, is to respect the freedom of expression of users of online platform services and search engines in the context of VLOPs and VLOPEs. We are interested in the compatibility of the regulatory model and the principle of legality enshrined in the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFREU), as well as the related risks and limitations of the regulation itself to mitigate systemic risks that do not conform to the principle of proportionality. Doubts, problems and criticisms remain numerous and certainly warrant thorough consideration of the suitability of co-regulation and the discipline and activity that entails the full moderation of content originating from online users.

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Common Initiatives of Cameroon and Nigeria to Fight Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea

Achale Agness Besong — 2026-03-23

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has posed persistent threats to maritime trade, regional stability, and coastal livelihoods, prompting increased legal and operational responses from littoral states. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the common initiatives of Cameroon and Nigeria in combating piracy, using a doctrinal legal methodology anchored in maritime security and human security theory. It examines the domestication of international maritime norms, institutional coordination mechanisms, and operational collaboration between the two states, while also assessing structural constraints that shape enforcement outcomes. The findings reveal a significant shift from fragmented and reactive enforcement toward coordinated maritime governance. Strengthened domestic legislation, improved prosecutorial frameworks, joint patrols, and enhanced intelligence cooperation have contributed to measurable improvements in maritime security and deterrence credibility. However, effectiveness remains conditional. Resource volatility, institutional fragmentation, uneven judicial specialization, intelligence integration gaps, and persistent socio-economic drivers of maritime crime limit the durability of current gains. The study advances scholarship by proposing a multidimensional governance-based framework for assessing anti-piracy effectiveness, moving beyond incident-count reduction to incorporate legal compliance, institutional capacity, operational coordination, and structural sustainability. It further reframes piracy suppression as a governance consolidation challenge rather than merely a naval enforcement issue. The study concludes that while Cameroon and Nigeria have made substantive progress in strengthening maritime governance, long-term stability in the Gulf of Guinea will depend on sustained institutional resilience, regional coordination, and structural reform.

Transitional Justice in Africa Armed Conflicts: Examining the Limits of the United Nations SDG 16 in Delivering Accountability and Sustainable Peace

Dr. Kwebe Augustine Nkwiyir — 2026-03-23

Transitional justice has emerged as a cornerstone for addressing the legacies of armed conﬂict, promoting accountability, reconciliation, and institutional reform in post-conﬂict societies. Despite its widespread adoption, the effectiveness and limitations of these mechanisms remain unevenly understood in African contexts. This study examines transitional justice in Rwanda and Sierra Leone within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), focusing on how judicial and non-judicial processes contribute to durable peace and governance. The research is theoretically anchored in Liberal Peace Theory, which underscores the role of democratic governance, rule of law, and human rights in sustaining peace, and Institutional Governance Theory, which emphasizes the critical role of institutional capacity, legitimacy, and structural conditions in the successful implementation of justice initiatives. Using a qualitative case-study methodology, the study analyzes legal frameworks, regional and international instruments, and socio-political factors shaping transitional justice processes. Findings reveal that while transitional justice has advanced accountability, strengthened institutions, and facilitated reconciliation, its transformative potential is constrained by political interference, resource limitations, and uneven implementation. The study concludes that integrating transitional justice with broader governance, socio-economic, and institutional reforms is essential to achieving sustainable peace. By linking theory, practice, and SDG 16, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of transitional justice’s potential and limitations in African post-conﬂict settings.

A Legal Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Measures to Fight Against Scamming in Cameroon: The Case of Buea

Dr. NTOKO NTONGA Rene — 2026-03-23

This study provides a comprehensive legal assessment of the effectiveness of anti-scamming measures in Cameroon, with specific focus on Buea. Scamming has emerged as a pervasive socio-economic challenge undermining public trust and causing significant financial losses across diverse sectors. The research critically examines the existing legal and institutional frameworks designed to prevent, detect, and penalize scam-related offenses, including relevant statutory provisions, enforcement mechanisms, and judicial practices. The primary objective is to evaluate how effectively these measures curb scamming activities within the Buea municipality and to identify gaps hindering optimal legal protection. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders — including law enforcement officers, legal practitioners, victims of scamming, and local government officials — to capture nuanced insights into the practical challenges of enforcement. Additionally, survey questionnaires were administered to a representative sample of residents in Buea to quantify public perceptions of scamming prevalence and the perceived efficacy of legal measures. Relevant legal documents, policy instruments, and case law were also reviewed as part of a documentary analysis to map the statutory landscape and enforcement patterns. Quantitative data from surveys were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to identify trends and correlations between demographic factors and perceptions of legal effectiveness. Qualitative interview data and documentary evidence were subjected to thematic analysis, enabling the identification of recurrent patterns, institutional strengths, and systemic weaknesses. Findings reveal that although Cameroon has enacted several legal instruments to combat scamming, enforcement remains weak due to limited resources, procedural inefficiencies, and low public awareness. The study concludes with recommendations for legal reform, enhanced institutional capacity, and community-based anti-scamming initiatives to strengthen the overall fight against scamming in Buea.