Voices from ‘Ground Zero’: Interrogating History, Culture and Identity in the Resolution of Cameroon’s Anglophone Conflict
3 min read
Renowned researchers participated in the success of the findings of this empirical research including lecturers from the University of Buea-Cameroon: Gordon Crawford, James Kiven Kewir, Nancy Annan, Ambo Abuo Gaby, Henry Kam Kah, Terence Nsai Kiwoh, Albert Mbiatem, Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondieh, Atim Evenye Niger-Thomas, Sakah Bernard Nsaidzedze, Patience Munge Sone
The Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations and Coventry University on 23 June 2022 published a report entitled “Voices from ‘Ground Zero’: Interrogating History, Culture and Identity in the Resolution of Cameroon’s ‘Anglophone’ Conflict” The report highlights the voices of the most-affected civilians, inclusive of internally displaced persons and those who have remained in the conflict zones, known locally as ‘ground zero’. According to the findings, Such voices have hitherto been ignored and excluded from any official dialogue.
The carefully written report emerging from the empirical research carried out by the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations and Coventry University is very instrumental in establishing grounds for peaceful resolution of the most neglected armed conflicts. According to lines 2 and 3 of the acknowledgement statement of the report or the research findings, the project was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through its GCRF Urgency Grant.
In the summary of the report that was published on the official website of the Coventry University on 23 June 2022, the publishers stated that ‘Peaceful resolution of the current ‘Anglophone conflict’ in Cameroon is urgently needed, not least due to its devastating impact on the civilian population. According to the report, the conflict is now in its number sixth year and the conflict between government security forces and armed separatist groups calling for an independent state of Ambazonia in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions have been internationally neglected. The demands for secession arisened out of historical marginalisation of the Anglophone regions, with the current conflict triggered by government repression of peaceful protests by lawyers and teachers in late 2016.
Prior to highlighting civilian voices, the report examines the root causes of the contemporary conflict in Cameroon’s unique colonial history, as well as in post-independence developments under the Francophone-dominated government, notably the abolition of the federal structure in 1972. Further, the multiple grievances that have arisen in recent decades are explored. These are associated with different facets of marginalisation experienced by the Anglophone population and the attempted assimilation of their distinctive identity and institutions.
The final background discussion is of the peaceful protests in 2016, their repression by the state and the subsequent rise of separatism and armed struggle.
The substance of the report focuses on civilians’ experiences of the conflict, including mass displacement,
human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, and psychological trauma. It examines the impact on incomes and livelihoods, the increase of insecurity and a decline in social cohesion and community life. It looks at the impact on different social groups, including women, young people, the elderly and disabled people. It explores grassroots perspectives on the current impasse in conflict resolution and outlines proposed strategies for peace. Research participants repeatedly stated the need for a ceasefire, military withdrawal and inclusive dialogue, one that includes the perspectives of those most-affected citizens.
Participants were almost unanimous about the need for structural reform of the political system, with some supporting a return to a federal structure within Cameroon while others advocated for separation. A referendum amongst Anglophone citizens was seen as the mechanism by which to peacefully and democratically determine the future of the English-speaking regions.
The report also examines international responses to the conflict, finding them woefully inadequate, and outlines local civilians’
Click HERE to Read the full report from the official website of Coventry University or click on the link below to download full report
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.
