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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Environmental law in a conflict zone: The protection of protected areas and natural resources in the Anglophone crisis regions of Cameroon
Authors
Nah Anthony Tetinwe
Abstract
The ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon has resulted in significant
humanitarian challenges, yet a silent casualty often escapes international
attention: the systematic dismantling of environmental governance in the
region's critical protected areas. This article argues that the conflict has
led to the collapse of environmental law, not merely as a passive consequence
but as an active element within the broader conflict dynamics. By focusing on
key biodiversity hotspots such as Bakossi National Park and the Takamanda
Forest, the study illustrates how this weakening of legal frameworks has
allowed for the exploitation of natural resources. Activities such as illegal
logging and wildlife trafficking have become important financial sources for
the conflict, while the state's diminished presence reflects a broader loss of
control over its territories. As a result, these protected areas, once
dedicated to conservation, have shifted from being biodiversity sanctuaries to
contested, income-generating zones. Using satellite imagery, local
observations, and international legal frameworks, the article highlights the
destructive cycle in which environmental degradation fuels the conflict, and
vice versa. The study calls for a rethinking of environmental protection in
conflict zones, emphasizing that the safeguarding of natural resources is
closely intertwined with efforts to restore peace and stability.
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Pages:206-214
How to cite this article:
Nah Anthony Tetinwe "Environmental law in a conflict zone: The protection of protected areas and natural resources in the Anglophone crisis regions of Cameroon". International Journal of Law, Policy and Social Review, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 206-214
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