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