The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon has been ongoing for nearly a decade. The roots of the Anglophone crisis date down to the colonial period when Cameroon was divide between British and French administration. Upon independence, in the 1960’s English speaking regions were merged with French speaking majority, leading decades of political marginalization. People were unhappy about language and cultural discrimination, which led to protests in 2016, which were responded to with violent government actions. The situation intensified to an armed conflict with separatist groups taking up arms against the Cameroonian government.
Being a southern Cameroonian who was significantly affected, my engagement and participation with the SCNC UK has exposed me to the knowledge of great heroes of the southern Cameroon’s like; Pa Nfor Ngala, Robert M Tamanji, Thomas Tangem, Patience Katuuh, Fabian Fomuki… just to name a few, who fought for the freedom of southern Cameroon and were faced with severe consequences such as; Arrests and Detentions, Violence and Killings, Displacements and suppression of freedom of speech from the French Cameroon government and military.
The SCNC was formed in 1995 by some of our leaders and its motto was “THE FORCE OF ARGUMENT, NOT THE ARGUMENT OF FORCE”. This was a political organization that advocated for the rights of Anglophones in Cameroon. Over the years the group has faced significant suppression from the government. The SCNS plays a crucial role in the ongoing struggle for the recognition of rights of the Anglophone community in Cameroon.
The SCNC UK is a branch of Southern Cameroons National Council that operates in the UK. It aims to raise awareness about the difficulty of the Anglophones in Cameroon. The SCNC UK engages in various activities, including organizing protests, raising funds and mobilizing support from the diaspora community. It serves as a platform for Anglophone Cameroonians in the UK to unite and voice their concerns regarding the ongoing conflict and the need for political change in Cameroon.
The crisis in Cameroon is a humanitarian crisis that requires global action. A coordinated international campaign for peace and justice can help end the violence, hold perpetrators accountable and provide relief to affected communities. The Anglophones of Cameroon deserve peace and justice and a future free from suppression. The world must not remain silent. Now is the time for collective action.
I joined the SCNC UK to honor my late parents who were brutally assassinated for their activism. Their sacrifice fuels this fight for southern Cameroons independence. Despite threats, I remain very committed, believing freedom is worth every risk. Their dream lives in me.
Written by: Wilmer Zou.
