The Anglophone Crisis, Human Insecurity and the Role of Anglophone Cameroonians in the Diaspora, 1961 – 2019

Abstract

This paper revisits the history of the Anglophone Crisis and the role of
Anglophone Cameroonians in the Diaspora since 1961. Contrary to
expectations at reunification in October 1961, most Anglophones eventually felt marginalized, exploited and above all, assimilated by the numerically majority Francophones. This problem inspired many disgruntled Anglophone Cameroonians to seek alternative ways of surviving through migration. Pushed out of their country due to frustration, more than one million members of the Cameroon Anglophone Diaspora with huge concentrations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Nigeria, have recently been recognized as a force that could spearhead political and economic changes. The Anglophone Diaspora has exploited what started in November 2016 as
legitimate grievances by Common Law lawyers, teachers, students and civil society over the prolonged marginalization of Southern Cameroons, to return to federalism or fight for secession and independence by creating organisations, organizing internet-based campaigns, campaigning for diplomatic pressure, promoting fundraising and sponsoring armed groups against Government forces. The study argues that the role of the Anglophone Diaspora, and the lack of professionalization of the Ambazonia Defence Forces and Government military in the Anglophone Crisis has led to human insecurity and human rights violations. It further reveals that, the Anglophone Crisis has resulted in unbearable human insecurity in the North West and South West Regions, obliging individuals to escape to the bushes, other regions and countries as Internally Displaced Persons. However, Government’s delay and failure to call an inclusive and broad-based dialogue with Anglophone Diaspora without preconditions has prolonged the Crisis. This study has adopted the thematic and chronological approaches, using a wide range of primary and secondary sources. The study concludes that, for peace to reign, the Government of Cameroon must initiate a broad-based dialogue without preconditions, especially as the Anglophone Diaspora has become a formidable force in Anglophone’s politics.