Digital Warfare: Exploring Cyber Criminality Amidst Armed Conflict in Southwest Region of Cameroon

Abstract

This research investigates the alarming rise of cyber criminality in the Southwest region of Cameroon, a trend significantly influenced by the ongoing armed conflict that has engulfed the area. Employing a doctrinal research methodology, the study conducts a rigorous content analysis of both primary sources such as case law, treaties, legislative texts, direct observations, and policy documents and secondary sources, including scholarly textbooks, journal articles, comprehensive reports, and various online materials. The analysis utilizes diverse legal reasoning methods, including deductive, inductive, and analogical reasoning. Findings reveal a troubling surge in cyber-criminal activities since the onset of the armed conflict in English-speaking Cameroon, driven by interrelated factors such as rampant unemployment, pervasive economic hardship, widespread illiteracy, and the displacement of individuals. In light of these findings, it is crucial for the Cameroonian government to devise and implement effective strategies that not only combat cyber-crime but also address the socio-economic challenges exacerbated by the conflict. Such comprehensive measures are vital for restoring stability and security in the Southwest region and for fostering a resilient society capable of overcoming the dual impacts of cybercrime and armed conflict.