The Roots of the Crisis
Eight years ago, peaceful protests by Anglophone lawyers and teachers demanding an end to systemic marginalization by the predominantly Francophone central government in Yaoundé ignited a flame that has yet to be extinguished. These demonstrations, violently suppressed by government forces, quickly escalated into armed conflict. By 2017, separatist groups declared unilateral independence under the banner of the “Republic of Ambazonia.” Since then, the conflict has festered, claiming over 6,000 civilian lives and displacing more than 600,000 people.
The initial grievances stemmed from erasing the English-based legal and educational systems in the Anglophone regions. These structural differences rooted in distinct colonial legacies highlighted the fragile unity of Cameroon’s bilingual state. The government’s failure to address these concerns paved the way for a radicalized separatist movement.
A Humanitarian Nightmare
The Anglophone regions have become a battleground, with civilians trapped between separatist forces and the Cameroonian military. Human rights abuses abound, as documented by organizations like Amnesty International. Civilians face bomb attacks, sexual violence, kidnappings, and collective punishments. Government forces have been accused of torching villages and committing extrajudicial killings. At the same time, separatists are reported to levy illegal taxes, enforce lockdowns, and prevent children from attending school, rejecting anything tied to the state.
Over 1.8 million people in the Anglophone regions now require humanitarian aid as basic services crumble under the weight of the conflict. Armed separatist groups, increasingly fragmented and criminalized, have upgraded their arsenals, with second-hand weapons allegedly originating from Europe flooding the conflict zone. Meanwhile, leaders of these groups, often based abroad, issue directives via social media platforms, far removed from the on-ground realities.
Failed Peace Efforts
Several attempts at dialogue have faltered, exacerbating the crisis. 2019 President Paul Biya launched a National Dialogue to address Anglophone grievances. The initiative, however, was boycotted by key separatist leaders and dismissed as insufficient. While a “special status” was granted to the Anglophone regions, critics argue that the measures were superficial, offering limited autonomy and failing to engage local communities meaningfully.
International mediators, including Switzerland and Canada, have attempted to broker peace, but the Cameroonian government has resisted and denied these efforts. This lack of transparency and political will has left the crisis deadlocked.
A Crisis of Leadership and Accountability
The recent arrest of separatist leader Ayaba Cho Lucas in Norway for inciting crimes against humanity has brought renewed attention to the conflict. While hailed as a significant step toward combating impunity, it is unlikely to catalyze meaningful dialogue. The International Crisis Group underscores that the conflict will continue to spiral without genuine engagement from both sides.
At its core, the Anglophone crisis underscores the unresolved question of governance and identity in Cameroon. Many experts argue that a return to federalism or a more robust form of autonomy is essential to addressing the root causes of the conflict. However, the current regime remains reluctant to entertain these solutions, clinging instead to centralized control.
A Path Forward?
As the fighting drags on, children grow up knowing nothing but conflict, and entire generations risk being lost to a war that rarely captures international headlines. The path to peace will require bold reforms, including addressing historical grievances, empowering local governance, and ensuring accountability for human rights violations.
Ultimately, the Anglophone crisis is a conflict over language or territory and a battle for dignity, equality, and self-determination. Without meaningful steps toward reconciliation and justice, the crisis will remain an open wound in Cameroon’s fragile unity, threatening the entire region’s stability.
