Conflict Resolution Strategies for the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis

In: Richmond O., Visoka G. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Peace and Conflict Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2020

Decades after independence, Cameroon, once divided between the British and the French during the colonial period, continues to experience sustained conflicts between its Francophone and Anglophone citizens. The government has failed to reconcile the sharp differences coined around linguistic identities inherited from the former colonial powers. While this crisis threatens to split the country, it has received little attention from scholars and peace advocates. This entry traces the historical roots of the conflict and discusses the role of social media in spreading identity consciousness, and how slow response by international actors has prolonged the crisis. The entry identifies government failure in postindependence state/nation building as being a catalyst to the protracted conflict. The entry provides recommendations encouraging swift action to address the deep-rooted grievances, proactive measures to avert a possible crisis in the future, and involvement of regional or international actors to pool resources needed to promote sustainable peace.

Global Scientific Journal (GSJ), 2020

The Anglophone problem is not a novelty in Cameroon’s political landscape. It is an identity conflict which owes its roots from the colonial era. The nature of the conflict makes it both protracted and intractable due to the inability of its protagonists to reach at a compromise. This is because the measures being put in place to end the conflict at every analytical level does not take into consideration basic ontological human needs, which apart from the basic biological needs for food, shelter, clothing, includes inter alia the need for security, recognition, esteem and self-actualization. These needs are genetically inherent in every human being and are thus imperative for human development. Any society that wants to maintain a healthy life must ensure the gratification of these needs. The crux of the Anglophone crisis rests on unsatisfied genetically endowed human needs. Thus any attempt to address the situation must take these needs into consideration by critically examining the root causes of the problem. This paper therefore revisits John Burton’s (1990) approach to conflict resolution which is inextricably linked to the human needs theory, inspired by the works of Abraham Maslow and Paul Sites, to justify the nature of the Anglophone crisis which is characterized by the resistance to obtain a sustainable solution. The paper further examines the socio-economic consequences of the crisis and proposes recommendations inspired by Burton’s Problem-Solving approach to conflict resolution. Key words: Cameroon, Anglophone Crisis, Socio-economic Consequences, John Burton’s Approach to Conflict Resolution, Examination of the root causes of the crisis, Frank and inclusive political dialogue.

ResearchGate, 2023

The ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon, marked by increasing violence, displacements, and human rights abuses since 2016, has warranted significant humanitarian intervention from the global community. This research project explores the role of international actors in providing relief, protection, and conflict resolution strategies amidst growing socio-political tensions. Despite the hurdles posed by limited access, insecurity, and insufficient funding, these interventions strive to mitigate the humanitarian catastrophe. Discussions include the critical role of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and neighboring states, as well as the potential for international peacekeeping forces. Furthermore, the study examines the implications of this crisis for regional stability and global norms about sovereignty and intervention. This project emphasizes the need for a comprehensive political solution, alongside humanitarian aid, to address the root causes of the conflict and foster long-term peace and reconciliation in Cameroon.

The Anglophone problem has animated public discussions from independence till date. It obtained roots from the inherent differences appropriated from the colonial period. Public and scholarly discussions have brought to the lime light the various stakes as to the problem. The various opinions have in due course been based on state responds in both national decisions and the conflict to be precise. Based on this background, this chapter probes into the origin, manifestation and the various political debates animated so far from 1961 to 2019 as well as efforts made to end or resolve the ongoing Anglophone crisis.Both primary and secondary sources of data were carefully analysed in arriving at the conclusions of this paper.An analysis of the data reveals that, the Anglophone crisis of 2016 has been the most outstanding challenge and a threat to the foundation of national unity and the territorial integrity of Cameroon. This explains the urgent political joint and individual ventures by Cameroonians of all works of life as well as external bodies at resolving the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: A Geopolitical Analysis, 2019

Anglophone Cameroon is the present-day North West and South West (English Speaking) regions of Cameroon herein referred to as No-So. These regions of Cameroon have been restive since 2016 in what is popularly referred to as the Anglophone crisis. The crisis has been transformed to a separatist movement, with some Anglophones clamoring for an independent No-So, re-baptized as "Ambazonia". The purpose of the study is to illuminate the geopolitical perspective of the conflict which has been evaded by many scholars. Most scholarly write-ups have rather focused on the causes, course, consequences and international interventions in the crisis, with little attention to the geopolitical undertones. In terms of methodology, the paper makes use of qualitative data analysis. Unlike previous research works that link the unfolding of the crisis to Anglophone marginalization, historical and cultural difference, the findings from this paper reveals that the strategic location of No-So, the presence of resources, demographic considerations and other geopolitical parameters are proving to be responsible for the heightening of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon and in favour of the quest for an independent Ambazonia. This article however upholds that the No-So is still part of Cameroon's territorial space, considering the fact that Ambazonia is not internationally recognized as a sovereign state.

ABSTRACT This paper examines the potential damage that the political economy of Cameroon Is incurring, and stands to incur during and after this crisis has been resolved. It draws a comparative analysis from other cases of internal identity conflicts to illustrate the mayhem that stands to befall Cameroon if this crisis is not managed skillfully. It is based on qualitative content analysis of secondary data that the conclusion we reached. It argues that Cameroon whose economy was already weak will suffer severe economic underdevelopment as a result of the techniques used to manage this crisis. In which regards, preliminary analysis, and suggestions already predict a decline in economic growth as well as development. Hence the shadow and aftermath of every conflict are always felt immensely in the process of redevelopment reasons why conflict should be avoided at all cost.

IJR, 2020

2018

After the 1961 reunification process, unfolding political events made it evident that there was an urgent need for the protection of the nascent Anglophone identity within the Federation. This indicated the beginning of the state’s role in diluting the Anglophone identity which led to the Anglophone Problem and consequently the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon. As such, the call for the reconstruction of the Anglophone identity has been crystallized by the resurrection of the "Anglophone Problem" which has escalated into the Anglphone Crisis.

African Journal of History and Archaeology (AJHA), 2022

This paper unravels government's implication in the radicalization of the Anglophone Crisis that broke out in late 2016 and degenerated into what has been otherwise termed the "Ambazonian" secessionist war that ensued in 2017. This came on the backdrop of what started as a resistance against the Francophonisation of the Anglophones and the Anglo-Saxon institutions in what came to be known as the Anglophone Problem. This resistance had been a daily struggle of Anglophone activists, Anglophone pressure groups and the Anglophones in general since the early 1960s. Their struggles were however less violent until late 2016 when pacific protests put up by Anglophone lawyers and teachers trade unions against corporate grievances and social vexations took a twist in 2017 and escalated into a violent political crisis and war of separation. The paper based on primary and secondary sources, makes a critique of government's responses and policies towards the corporate grievances and the Anglophone Problem in general and begs the conclusion that they in one way or the other contributed in escalating the situation. The paper reckons that, though the potency of secession for Anglophone Cameroon/former Southern Cameroons appears gloomy, however, if the government does not seek and implement authentic consensual measures other than the military option in resolving the crisis from its roots, there is fear that it will become a protracted warfare with much violent and bloody episodes and may lead to a full scale civil war in Cameroon and within the central African sub region.