The Statutory and Institutional Framework for the Protection of the Rights of Consumers Against Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract: The Cameroonian Reality

Abstract

The content of this research, reveal the status of consumer protection in Cameroon. The objective of the study was, to examine the statutory and institutional framework ensuring the protection of the rights of consumers against unfair contract terms in Cameroon. In protecting the rights and interests of consumers, the State of Cameroon has put forth laws and some institutions, ratify global and regional instruments to safeguard consumers’ interest, against unfair terms in consumer contracts. Notwithstanding the State’s efforts, sellers still conduct their businesses in violation of the existing laws. Thus, a further intervention by the state to ensure consumers’ rights and to maintain justice, since in applying contract law principles in ordinary commercial dealings, the individual consumer is usually positioned at a disadvantage as compared to the seller of goods, technology and services providers in terms of their bargaining power in the contract. This is unfair, detrimental and it creates imbalance between the parties.