Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis began in 2016 when peaceful protests by lawyers and teachers in the English-speaking North West and South West Regions of Cameroon were met with violence by the government. The protesters demanded respect for the Anglo-Saxon system of education and the Common Law legal system.
This sparked widespread demonstrations and radicalisation of separatist groups, leading to armed conflict. The situation worsened, causing human rights abuses, mass displacements, and many casualties, while government repression deepened tensions. The key demands of the peaceful protests further expanded to include not just effective decentralisation, as outlined in the 1996 constitution, but also a return to the pre-1972 federal system or complete secession from Cameroon.
In 2019, President Paul Biya pledged to address the frustrations of the North West and South West populations by speeding up decentralisation. Despite the special status granted to these regions, Anglophones continue to face marginalization, and violence continues.
Content of the special status arrangement
The country’s National Dialogue was organized in 2019 in Yaoundé. The dialogue recommended implementing Article 62(2) of the constitution for these regions, leading to the creation of a special status for the North West and South West under the 2019 law on Regional and Local Authorities. The special status sets these regions apart from the other eight regions of Cameroon. It recognises their distinct Anglophone educational and legal systems, and establishes a governance framework that respects their historical and cultural values while maintaining the state’s primacy and national unity.
This special status aims to address the unique needs of the Anglophone population. It grants the North West and South West unique autonomy, allowing them to exercise special powers beyond those granted to the other eight regions. They can participate in shaping national policies related to the Anglophone education system, establish regional development entities, and define the status of traditional authorities. The 2019 law also permits the central government to consult these regions on public justice administration issues and to involve them in managing public services within their territories.
Distinct institutional frameworks have been created for these Anglophone regions, including a bicameral Regional Assembly, a Regional Executive Council, and a Public Independent Conciliator, unlike the other regions that only have a Regional Council and its President. The Regional Assembly consists of a House of Divisional Representatives, which includes 70 councilors and five committees, and a House of Chiefs made up of 20 traditional authorities and two committees. This structure aims to enhance local governance and representation.
Anglophone communities initially expected full autonomy and a federal structure to address grievances like marginalization and low representation. However, these expectations for improved governance and resource control have not been adequately met. Many Anglophones feel disillusioned by the lack of progress in public service delivery and political representation, leading to a sense of betrayal. This gap between the promised special status and actual conditions has fueled frustration and violence in the regions.
Effectiveness of the special status
The implementation of special status in Cameroon has concentrated power within the central government, leaving subnational governments feeling excluded from key policy-making processes. While Regional Assemblies were created to mimic the federal structures of West Cameroon before 1972, they are significantly weaker. The current governors, appointed by the President of the Republic, hold veto power over decisions made by these Assemblies, limiting their autonomy and making them appear as extensions of the central government.
The 2019 law established a Common Decentralization Fund, mandating that at least 15% of annual revenue be allocated to support regions. However, actual allocations have fallen short, with only 7.2% in 2022 and 8% in 2023, leading to financial dependency that undermines regional governance. Although a National Commission on Bilingualism and Multiculturalism was created to address linguistic and cultural grievances, it has been criticized for failing to adequately tackle these issues. Many Anglophones feel that government efforts do not address systemic problems like representation in decision-making.
Moreover, claims of stakeholder engagement during the Major National Dialogue are questioned, as only pro-government elites were reportedly consulted. This has fostered distrust among Anglophones, as important topics like federalism and secession were excluded from discussions. Many special status institutions are filled with former pro-government officials, further alienating the community. Despite the intention to remedy historical inequalities, Anglophones continue to experience neglect and marginalization. The central government retains tight control over regional decisions, and the law allows for the dissolution of special status institutions, creating instability and a disconnect from the population’s needs.
Many Anglophones feel that the special status has largely remained theoretical, with little impact on their daily lives. The continued dominance of the French language in public institutions, lack of meaningful economic development projects, and the central government’s reluctance to fully empower local authorities contribute to the perception that the policy is ineffective. While pro-government Anglophone elites argue that the policy is slowly addressing crisis triggers, separatist groups reject it outright. The ongoing high cost of living, violence, and human rights abuses reinforce the belief that the special status has not alleviated the crisis.
The Anglophone community emphasizes that this top-down policy lacks grassroots engagement and has failed to bring about real change. The conflict persists with issues like crime, abductions, and school closures, alongside ongoing confrontations between government forces and separatists. Victims continue to blame the government for their struggles, calling for genuine political will to include diverse community voices in a meaningful dialogue aimed at reconciliation, conflict transformation, and economic empowerment.
Redefining the special status
The current special status for Cameroon’s Anglophone regions is largely a façade of autonomy, lacking real devolved powers and resources. Despite limited support from Anglophones and rejection by separatist leaders, this status could serve as a basis for fostering consensus in peace negotiations. It provides a legal framework that recognizes Anglophone identity and promotes regional autonomy within a decentralized system.
To make this framework effective, genuine dialogue is essential. Engagement with the Anglophone population must include substantial consultations that involve all stakeholders, including marginalised groups and separatist leaders. This approach can help bridge the divide between the central government’s rejection of separation and the separatists’ demand for federalism and secession. Strengthening local governance mechanisms is crucial. Regional assemblies should have the authority to recommend legislation in key areas including education, language, and judicial matters, in order to address core grievances. Empowering local authorities and involving them in decision-making can link policy to practice.
Additionally, reforms should ensure effective representation of Anglophone concerns, including provisions for joint sessions between the North West and South West Regional Assemblies. Transitioning to direct universal suffrage in regional assembly elections would enhance legitimacy and voter engagement. Moreover, establishing a commissioner for marginalised groups and expanding the authority of the Public Independent Conciliator to address disputes can further promote inclusivity. Reforming the special status to empower regional assemblies could restore trust and create a pathway for inclusive political dialogue, ultimately contributing to stability and peace in the Anglophone regions.
Keywords: Cameroon, Anglophone Crisis, Anglophone, conflict, conflict resolution, Francophone, peace, Africa
Robert Kosho Ndiyun
Robert Kosho Ndiyun is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Tshwane University of Technology. He was previously a PhD researcher at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research focuses on transitional justice in conflict and post conflict situations. He also Lectured at International University Bamenda in Cameroon, Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies Yaoundé, and Higher Institute of Educational and Professional Studies, Yaoundé.
