<sod>  
 While the president, the minister of justice, and the president's judicial advisers (the Supreme Court) top the judicial hierarchy, traditional rulers, courts, and councils also exercise functions of government. Traditional courts still play a major role in domestic, property, and [[probate law]]. [[Tribal law]]s and customs are honored in the formal court system when not in conflict with national law. Traditional rulers receive stipends from the national government.
 
The government adopted legislation in [[1990]] to authorize the formation of multiple [[political party|political parties]] and ease restrictions on forming civil associations and private [[newspaper]]s. Cameroon' s first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held in [[1992]] followed by municipal elections in 1996 and another round of legislative and presidential elections in [[1997]]. Because the government refused to consider opposition demands for an independent election commission, the three major opposition parties boycotted the October [[1977]] presidential election, which Biya easily won. The leader of one of the opposition parties, [[Bello Bouba Maigari]] of the [[NUDP]], subsequently joined the government.
 
 Cameroon has a number of independent newspapers. [[Censorship]] was abolished in 1996, but the government sometimes seizes or suspends newspapers and occasionally arrests [[journalist]]s. Although a 1990 law authorizes private [[radio]] and [[television]] stations, the government has not granted any licenses as of March 1998.
 
 <eod> <sod> 
 While the president, the minister of justice, and the president's judicial advisers (the Supreme Court) top the judicial hierarchy, traditional rulers, courts, and councils also exercise functions of government. Traditional courts still play a major role in domestic, property, and [[probate law]]. [[Tribal law]]s and customs are honored in the formal court system when not in conflict with national law. Traditional rulers receive stipends from the national government.
 
The government adopted legislation in [[1990]] to authorize the formation of multiple [[political party|political parties]] and ease restrictions on forming civil associations and private [[newspaper]]s. Cameroon' s first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held in [[1992]] followed by municipal elections in 1996 and another round of legislative and presidential elections in [[1997]]. Because the government refused to consider opposition demands for an independent election commission, the three major opposition parties boycotted the October [[1997]] presidential election, which Biya easily won. The leader of one of the opposition parties, [[Bello Bouba Maigari]] of the [[NUDP]], subsequently joined the government.
 
 Cameroon has a number of independent newspapers. [[Censorship]] was abolished in 1996, but the government sometimes seizes or suspends newspapers and occasionally arrests [[journalist]]s. Although a 1990 law authorizes private [[radio]] and [[television]] stations, the government has not granted any licenses as of March 1998.
 
 <eod>