Five points/arguments to end the ongoing Anglophone armed conflict in Cameroon
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Historical Background to the Anglophone problem: In the 1960s, when the African states were clamoring for independents from their colonial masters, Britain and France administered Cameroons were not left out. The Germans administered Cameroon from 1884 to 1916. After the First World War when Britain and France defeated the Germans, they took over the colonial rule. From between the period of 1916 and 1960, Cameroon was ruled by Britain and France. The French Speaking part of the country, that is La Republic du Cameroun later got its independents in 1960 and the Southern Cameroons got her own in 1961 by joining La Republic du Cameroun under the federal system of governance while the Northern part of the British administered territory joint Nigeria.
Cameroon was being administered as of 1961 as the federal Republic of Cameroon. It was a two states federation with equal status. The changing of the form of state from the Federal System to the Unitary System and finally to one and indivisible Cameroon is a line of what causes the problem we are facing today “The Anglophone Problem” coupled with series of political, economic, and sociocultural discriminations. I believe that the problem we are facing today is more of a “territorial boundary” or form of state between the French Speaking and the English Speaking Cameroonians. The Federal system of governance was the best system that could work in the union of once separately administered states. I equally believe that continuous neglect of the grievances, which political, Civil Society Activists amongst other leaders have tabled before the Cameroon government authorities in vain, plays a major role in the escalation of the Anglophone problem. Most of all, the neglect of the grievances presented by Lawyers and teachers in 2016 led to the ongoing armed conflict which we are facing today
The Ongoing Anglophone armed in Cameroon, which started in 2016 have seen thousands of civilians killed, hundreds of thousand displaced and properties destroyed. The national and international stakeholders have been calling for cease-fire and negotiations. The separatists and Cameroon government authorities have refused to adhere to calls for negations. Below are some arguments to backed steps towards negotiations or negotiations process between the waring parties
Ceasefire: Guns can only destroy, kill, and inflict pain and suffering on humanity. There is no need to fight the war, which we know that at last, we must gently discuss. With our ability to reason, there is enough reason for a ceasefire agreement between the Cameroon government authorities and Separatist activists/Ambazonia/Southern Cameroons. This will, therefore, open the way for a gentlemanly agreement which I believe will yield fruits.
The withdrawal of military/combatants: After the ceasefire agreement, the soldiers from either party to the conflict should withdraw their soldiers from the North West and the South West regions. This means that each party to the conflict should take its military/combatants to the barracks. This act will allow refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons to come back to their homes without fear of stray bullets, the unknown and the known. This will enable them to participate in the negotiation process. For example, if there is the possibility of a referendum or any process where votes are needed.
The release of all Anglophones arrested and detained in various prisons: There is no doubt that the detention of at least a thousand Anglophones has contributed enormously to the aggravation of the ongoing armed conflict which has claimed more than thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. Thus, if these political prisoners are released, those advocating for separation will at least have trust with the Cameroon government during the negotiations process
Mediation by an International body : Since there is a lack of trust between the conflicting parties; after all Anglophone detainees must have been released, there is a need to invite a third party like the United Nations, African Union, European Union as was the case in 1961. With this, all parties especially the minority party to the conflict (Southern Cameroonians) will be able to attain the negotiation process with trust. This will help in the validity and implementation of the agreement to be reached during the negotiations process
The initiation of the negotiations process: This is/will be the most welcomed stage that will satisfy the civilians, the separatists, and Cameroon government authorities. Both the national and international stakeholders have been clamoring for negotiations since the escalation of this armed conflict in 2016. There is a problem of jurisdiction, which may/will accommodate the negotiations process, I am of the fact that it should be outside the country so that there should be trust. Negotiations process must be inclusive and involve the political ideas of all parties; that is separation, federation, and decentralization. After the negotiations process, the faith of the North West and South West nationals will be determined through ballots
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
