Cameroon was a German colony until World War I ended. After the war, it was split between France and Britain. The British part became Southern Cameroons, which joined the French part to form the independent nation of Cameroon in 1961.
Causes of the Anglophone Problem
Feeling of Marginalization: Anglophones, who are about 20% of the population, feel left out and underrepresented.
Centralization of Power: Many Anglophones resent the centralization of power by the Francophone government.
Change from Federal to Unitary State: In 1972, Cameroon changed from a federal to a unitary state, causing further dissatisfaction.
Economic and Political Marginalization: Anglophone regions feel economically and politically neglected.
Key Events and Developments
Protests and Strikes: In October 2016, Anglophone lawyers and teachers started protests and strikes, which led to a bigger political crisis.
Government Crackdown: The government responded with crackdowns on protesters, internet shutdowns, and arrests of movement leaders.
Secessionist Movements: In response, groups advocating for an independent “Ambazonia” state emerged.
Ongoing Clashes: Clashes between security forces and Anglophone separatists continue, causing ongoing violence and instability.
Government Responses
Concessions: The government has made some concessions, like creating a National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism and recruiting more Anglophone magistrates and teachers.
Security Measures: Despite these concessions, the government continues to use security forces and anti-terrorism laws to suppress the Anglophone movement.
International Reaction
Muted Response: The international community’s response has been limited, though there has been some pressure on the government to make changes.
Calls for Dialogue: There have been calls for the government to engage in dialogue and address the root causes of the crisis.
Rejection of Government Initiatives: Separatist groups have largely rejected government attempts to address the crisis, like the 2019 “Cameroon Grand National Dialogue”, citing security concerns and the exclusion of key separatist leaders. They want a third-party mediated dialogue.
Continued Armed Rebellion: Separatists continue their armed rebellion against Cameroonian security forces, with ongoing clashes and attacks on civilians, including killings and abductions.
International Advocacy: Separatist leaders are seeking international support and intervention to mediate a resolution.
Rejection of “Special Status”: The government granted “Special Status” to the Anglophone regions in 2019, but separatist groups rejected it as insufficient, not addressing their demand for independence.
Attempted Solutions to the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon and Their Success
Government Concessions and Reforms: Since March 2017, the government has created a National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, new Common Law benches at the Supreme Court, and recruited Anglophone magistrates and teachers. However, these steps are seen as too little, too late by Anglophone leaders.
Dialogue and Negotiations: The government has tried to negotiate with Anglophone trade unions and make some concessions. But trust is lacking due to the arrest of movement leaders and the internet shutdown. There has been no meaningful dialogue between the government and separatist groups, as both sides refuse to compromise.
International Pressure: International reaction has been limited but has pushed the government to make some changes. However, the government appears more responsive to international than national pressure, and without consistent international pressure, it is unlikely to seek lasting solutions.
The government’s concessions and reforms have not rebuilt trust or resolved the underlying issues.
The lack of meaningful dialogue and the stalemate between the government and separatists have prevented any successful resolution.
Limited international pressure has had some impact but has not been enough to compel the government to pursue more effective solutions.
Overall, the attempts to resolve the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon have largely failed to address the root causes and achieve a lasting solution. The crisis remains deadlocked, with both sides refusing to compromise.
