Cameroon Could Do With Some Foreign Help to Solve Anglophone Crisis – But the State Doesn’t Want It

Author(s)

Julius A. Amin (0000-0001-9166-335X), University of DaytonFollow

Document Type

Editorial

Publication Date

1-28-2025

Publication Source

The Conversation

Abstract

What began in late 2016 as a peaceful protest by lawyers and teachers in Cameroon’s North West and South West regions quickly turned violent and developed into what’s become known as Cameroon’s anglophone crisis. The protest was instigated by perceived marginalisation of Cameroon’s anglophone region, which makes up 20% of the nation’s 29 million people. The conflict has resulted in immense destruction and casualties. Cameroon’s military responded to the protest with arrests and torture. Voices that called for complete secession of the anglophone regions from the Republic of Cameroon gained momentum. They created a virtual Ambazonia Republic and an interim government in exile, and vowed to fight back. They formed a military wing, Ambazonia Self-Defence Force, which attacked and disrupted economic and social services in the region. As of October 2024, over 1.8 million people have needed humanitarian assistance. Over 584,000 have been internally displaced. Over 73,000 have become refugees in next-door Nigeria. Over 6,500 have been killed. And the conflict still rages.

Document Version

Other

eCommons Citation

Amin, Julius A., "Cameroon Could Do With Some Foreign Help to Solve Anglophone Crisis – But the State Doesn’t Want It" (2025). History Faculty Publications. 156.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/hst_fac_pub/156