Traditional Authority, Politics and Human Rights Violations in the North Region of Cameroon

Traditional authorities in the North Region of Cameroon, generally known as the Lamibe, are legally recognised as auxiliaries of the administration under Decree No. 77/245 of 15 July 1977, but in practice they exercise enormous powers that override constitutional guarantees of human rights. This article investigates how the traditional authority in the North Region, while in the exercise of their duties not only as custodians of the tradition, systematically violates human rights. Using a qualitative case study design, the research is based on field interviews, focus group discussions, documentary evidence, and reports from civil society and international organisations. The analysis found that civil rights were eroded through arbitrary detentions, intimidation and restrictions on freedom of expression on one hand. On the other hand, political rights were also undermined by the co-optation of Chiefs into the ruling regime and the systematic exclusion of opposition voices. These practices implied that the merger of state and traditional power has rather established structures of abuse instead of democratic accountability and development. Traditional justice usually discriminates against women and children in inheritance, land rights and access to justice. Lamibe preside over customary courts without formal legal training, leading to biased judgments, absence of appeal rights, and denial of fair trial guarantees. Beyond civil rights violations, palace guards (the army of the lamibe) in Garoua, Tchéboa, and Rey-Bouba were accused of arbitrary arrests, torture, forced exile, and even deaths in private palace prisons while slavery and servitude persisted. Also, Lamibe functions as a mobilizer for the ruling party, suppresses opposition or dissent voices, excludes women from decision-making fora and uses their authority to skew political participation. These practices are sustained by a weak state oversight, political protection from the ruling regime, and cultural justifications that shield the Lamibe from accountability. The study argues that unchecked traditional authority undermines the rule of law, consolidates patriarchal domination, and weakens democratisation in the North Region in particular and Cameroon as a whole. It concludes that a meaningful reform is required for the institutional regulation of traditional authority, stronger human rights monitoring, and a consistent civic education to align cultural practices with national and international human rights obligations.