The purpose of  writing this article is too bring out a personal stance and opinion on the ongoing Anglophone crises in the English speaking parts of Cameroon between the government and the people of southern Cameroon. This crisis has been ravaging and destroying these regions of the country that is, the Northwest and southwest since 2016 till date and no substantial or long term solution has been arrived at from any of the sides involved. All parties are  denying to amicably bridge their differences and settle their incongruity or adhere to the demands of the other leading to total unrest, fear and uncertainty in these regions by the military of la republique. Both sides accuse one another of some wrong doings and deny responsibility whereas the underlying causes are obvious and can’t be refuted by the government of la republique du cameroun who has been the villain all these years and seeks to continue with their malicious activities and selfish gains of exploitation and manipulation of these minority group of English speakers. I believe as a southern Cameroonian (Amazonian) who has been a firsthand victim of the total marginalization and oppression from the French speaking regime and their governance(la republique du Cameroun) a critical analysis  is appropriate and required.

Southern Cameroons was the southern part of the British League of Nations mandate territory of the British Cameroons in West Africa. Since 1961 it has been part of la republic du Cameroon and has been administered by this administration. Southern Cameroon is now made up of the northwest region and the southwest region of the country. Bamenda which is capital of the northwest region with its cool climate and scenic hilly location and Buea the capital of the southwest region located on the easten slopes of mount Cameroon. The English speaking regions of Cameroon under the administration of the republic of Cameroon have been subjected to total oppression, manipulation and suppression by imposing its rule and governing on these people who seek nothing but a total unconditional liberation, freedom and preservation of their dignity, identity  and culture  as a people.

The Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC) which has been the executive governing body of the southern Cameroons people organisation has been upfront in making sure the plight of the people of southern Cameroon is heard and pushed. Founded in the 90s it seeks the independence of the people of southern Cameroon from the republic of Cameroon, a non violent organisation with its Motto being the force of argument and not the argument of force. It advocates for the secession from Cameroon. Its activities has been declared illegal by the government of Paul Biya .Partaking in this organisation or any related activities invites the risk of detention, torture, arrest and even killing by the military.

It all started October of 2016 when the teachers and lawyers trade unions which were called the Cameroon Anglophone civil society consortium decided to embark on a strike which was to counter the recent appointments of French speaking magistrates in the Anglophone regions hence a big threat to the common law system. This led to a total disruption military intervention on the path of French Cameroon military, schools came to a halt and an atmosphere of total uncertainty was created. The government crackdown on the protests contributed to mainstream separatist movements. In September 2017, Amazonians separatists began to take up arms against the government and this further escalated to exchange from both parties that led to total unrest lack of peace in these 2 English speaking zones. Despite all attempts by both parties to reach an amicable understanding and solution this has proven to be futile as either party do not want to adhere to the demand of the other hence prolonging the fight and casualties. An exact number of people who have been tortured, arrested and killed or forced to flee their regions, towns to other cities of the country and even their country as a whole can’t be told as a lot has not been officially documented.

Coming from the North West Region of Cameroon Batibo to be precise  I have witness first hand marginalization, discrimination,  oppression and exclusion from  the French speaking people in the government of la republique du Cameroun which leaves me in total sorrow and agony as I reminiscence on the treatment our people of southern Cameroon have  undergone over these years . Thinking of how life used to be in my homeland of Batibo before the outbreak of this current crises I am left with tears filled in my eyes as all I can do is lament over the destruction and shambles our people have been left to endure over the last 7+ years and still counting. The painful part of the story is the oppressor being the government of Cameroon is not helping matters at all as they keep on militarising all these English speaking zones subjecting the people to constant fear, abandoning their home land to seek for refuge somewhere else, destruction of life and property and other unpleasant realities.

I personally believe every human being has the right to life, freedom of speech, right to education, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of expression and a right to free trail but all of this has been far from the reality of every southern Cameroonian especially those who identify to be members of the Southern Cameroon National Council( SCNC) as this organisation has been declared illegal and has been banned by the government of Cameroon its members or any related activities associated them. However all hope is not lost as its eminent, evident and clear the people of southern Cameroon are determined than never before to uphold and restore their dignity, integrity and culture doing so by seeking total liberation, secession and independence from the government of Cameroon and this is seen with the frequent rallies, conferences and peaceful protest in several countries around the world. Being a proud southern Cameroonian and a member of the SCNC i stand on the status quo of total liberation and independence of our people from the hands of this tyranny and oppressing government of Cameroon and our dignity, culture and integrity restored.

By Boris Deckline Acha Mbah

People cannot stop weeping as they lose their loved ones on a daily. On May 7, a Journalist sports writer and reporter, Anye Nde Nsoh was shot dead by gunmen at Che Street in Bamenda, in the North West Region of Cameroon.

Nde Nso was a reporter with Dream FM radio Bamenda and a sports contributor to many online platforms. He was also the North West Bureau Chief of The Advocate Newspaper.

Anye was killed for committing no crime, he was shot to death at Che Street Bamenda at a drinking spot called Don Simon. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), called on the government of Cameroon to investigate and hold those who were responsible for the death of Journalist Anye Nde Nsoh to account.

After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that Anye Nde Nsoh was killed by separatist fighters reason being that they confronted him by a military who frequents the drinking spot.

Journalists are scared as they are no longer safe they find themselves under attack by both the government and separatist fighters. Both sides must respect the rights of journalists to report freely and ensure their safety because they have lost one of them regardless of the reason for his death.

Shameful how innocent people keep dying every day and the government is saying nothing about it.

 

By TIBAB CLAUDIA ENGWARIE

The Anglophone crisis as we all know has been existing for seven years now and counting and there has been no solution to the issue to date. This has led to the loss of many lives as people are dying every day.

On Sunday, July 16 gunmen killed 10 people and injured two others at a busy junction in the city of Bamenda called Nancho Junction.
A witness said the attackers arrived in vehicles late on Sunday, ordered people onto the floor with accusations of failing to back local separatists, and opened fire as some obeyed while others ran.

The Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), the main separatist group in the English-speaking region which has been fighting since 2017 in protest of alleged marginalization by the majority French-speaking government, denied responsibility for this act which is where everyone is confused as the Military also deny responsibility of this act.

The witness further said the gunmen were in military uniforms when they arrived in two vehicles to storm Nancho Junction where restaurants, bars and shops are located, at around 7:30 pm (18:30 GMT).

They shot at people indiscriminately living everyone confuse still because the gunmen wore military uniforms. The witness said, “Before taking off that, there is a possibility that it could be revenge killing, considering what had happened in the same Nacho the previous day where six young boys were killed by the military, who were said to be separatist fighters”.

Civilians and people especially families who have lost loved ones plead with the Government of the country to look for a solution because they are tired of losing their loved ones to death every day.

 

By TIBAB CLAUDIA ENGWARIE

The Anglophone crisis is a political and social conflict that has been ongoing in Cameroon since 2016. The conflict is centred on the country’s English-speaking regions, which are located primarily in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. The crisis has been marked by protests, violence, and government crackdowns, and has had a significant impact on the country’s social and economic stability.

The roots of the Anglophone crisis can be traced back to Cameroon’s colonial history. Cameroon was originally colonized by Germany in the late 19th century, but after World War I, the country was divided between France and Britain. The French-speaking regions of Cameroon gained independence in 1960, while the English-speaking regions joined Nigeria.

Since then, the English-speaking regions of Cameroon have experienced a gradual erosion of their language and culture, as the government has promoted French as the sole official language and neglected the development of English-speaking regions. In recent years, this has led to a growing sense of marginalization and frustration among the Anglophone population, as they feel that their rights and interests are not being adequately represented by the government.

The crisis began in 2016 with protests by lawyers and teachers in the English-speaking regions, who were demanding better representation and the use of English in courts and schools. The government responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, which only fueled the unrest. In 2017, separatist groups emerged, calling for the creation of an independent state called Ambazonia with their fighters locally known as the “Amba boys”.

The government has responded with a military crackdown, which has been criticized for its brutality and indiscriminate targeting of civilians. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the conflict. The crisis has also had a significant impact on the country’s economy, particularly in the English-speaking regions (northwest and southwest region) where businesses have been disrupted and tourism has been severely affected.

Efforts to resolve the crisis have been ongoing, but progress has been slow. In 2019, a national dialogue was held, which made some recommendations for addressing the concerns of the Anglophone population, but these have yet to be fully implemented. The government has also initiated a process of decentralization, which aims to give more power to local authorities in the English-speaking regions. However, separatist groups have rejected these efforts, insisting on the creation of an independent state.

The Anglophone crisis remains a major challenge for Cameroon, and its resolution will require a concerted effort by all stakeholders, including the government, and separatist groups. This is because despite all efforts put people die every day.

 

By TIBAB CLAUDIA ENGWARIE