Informal Justice Organizations in Cameroon Justice System

• In Event: Policy Panel: International Justice Issues

Abstract

In Non-Western countries, traditional councils, empowered traditional authorities, and various forms of traditional courts play a significant role in dispute resolution. These organizations, rooted in cultural heritage, function alongside formal state legal systems to mediate conflicts within communities. While they share common features such as reliance on customary law and community participation, they also exhibit fundamental differences based on regional and ethnic variations. The integration of these traditional mechanisms with formal state institutions offers both benefits and challenges, particularly in the case of Cameroon, a country characterized by multiple informal justice systems. This paper examines the challenges and perspectives of these organizations in the case of Cameroon.

Author

• David Chiabi, New Jersey City University