Constitution Constipée: Legal Reform Stagnation and Human Rights in Cameroon

Cameroon’s constitutional stagnation, metaphorically termed ‘Constitution Constipée’, 1 is deeply rooted in colonial legacies and authoritarian governance structures, which severely limit effective enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs). Although formally recognised, ESCRs remain inadequately protected due to judicial weakness, executive dominance and insufficient regulatory oversight. This article critically analyses how historical and institutional path dependencies have shaped Cameroon’s governance challenges, hindering meaningful ESCRs realisation. Through comparative analysis with Kenya’s and South Africa’s constitutional frameworks, it highlights essential practices including explicit constitutional embedding of ESCRs, judicial independence and active public participation to enhance accountability. The article identifies systemic ESCRs violations in Cameroon, emphasising economic disparities, labour exploitation, educational inequality heightened by conflict and marginalisation of indigenous communities. Strategic recommendations advocate substantial constitutional reforms: strengthening judicial independence through merit-based appointments, explicitly integrating ESCRs within enforceable constitutional provisions, and enhancing public participation through decentralised governance. Recognising the limitations of comparative models, the article proposes context-specific reforms sensitive to Cameroon’s unique socio-political environment, underscoring the need for comprehensive constitutional reform for effective human rights protection.