Customary courts’ system in West Cameroon: reforms and conflict with the federal administration

Abstract

This article discussed the customary courts’ system in West Cameroon from 1961 to 1968. It argued that these institutions or system of justice was inherited from the British colonial authorities in 1961 by the Federal government of Cameroon. It further held that it continued without any interference from the Federal Government in West Cameroon until 1966, when the former favoured reforms that could reduce their authority (Customary Courts). It called for the reduction of their powers and a transfer of the control of these institutions from West Cameroon Ministry of Local Governments to the Federal Ministry of Justice. This was rejected by the West Cameroon Government which instead instituted reforms that were to make them more productive. It was due to these efforts by the West Cameroon Government that these institutions survived and were not infiltrated by the Federal Administration until the unification of Cameroon in 1972. Keywords: Conflict, Customary Courts, Federal Government, Reforms and West Cameroon