09/04/2026
The law in Cameroon is being tested, on two very different fronts, yet with one common weakness: implementation.
On one hand, the rise of Artificial Intelligence is redefining how we interact, transact, and even commit crimes. Yet, our primary legal framework, Law No. 2010/012 on Cybersecurity and Cybercriminality, was never designed to regulate intelligent systems, deepfakes, or algorithm-driven harm.
We are now confronted with a pressing question: Can yesterday’s laws govern today’s technologies?
The gap is clear, while innovation accelerates, regulation lags. What is needed is not just reform, but a deliberate shift toward AI-conscious legal frameworks, stronger enforcement institutions, and digital accountability.
______________________________________
On the other hand, a more disturbing crisis persists within our communities, the increasing cases of juvenile r**e in Bamenda.
The law is not silent. Under Section 296 of the Penal Code, r**e is severely punishable. Yet, reality tells a different story, cases go unreported, investigations falter, and justice is too often delayed or denied. This is not merely a legal issue. It is a failure of protection, enforcement, and societal responsibility.
When victims are unprotected, when procedures are compromised, and when perpetrators walk free, the law loses its power as a deterrent. Across both issues, digital crime and sexual violence, the pattern is the same:
The existence of law does not guarantee justice. Enforcement does.
Cameroon stands at a critical point where the focus must shift: From laws on paper to laws in action, From outdated frameworks to responsive legal systems, From silence to accountability, Because whether in cyberspace or within our communities, justice must be real, visible, and effective.
Ndimancho T. Nyowikeh