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THE ANGLOPHONE PROBLEM: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ANGLOPHONE
CRISIS IN CAMEROON.
Presentation · November 2019
DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.30078.33606
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1
THE ANGLOPHONE PROBLEM
AN ANALYSIS OF THE ANGLOPHONE
CRISIS IN CAMEROON
THEORIES AND ANALYSIS
OF CONFLICT, PEACE AND
SECURITY
GROUP PRESENTATION
15TH NOVEMBER 2019
2
Team Members
No
Name
No
Name
1
Kwabena Nkansah Simpeh
9
Eva Abugabe
2
Samuel Kwadwo Owusu-Ansah
10
Samantha Naa Kowa Quaye
3
Isaac Ayisi Asare
11
John Anim Sampong
4
Prince Lordson
12
Stella Oboshie Torgbor
5
Vida Mamle Tetteh
13
Seth Oppong
6
Nicholas Bright Amoah
14
Enyonam Dorla
7
Doris Akua Dzimega
15
Francis Ahovi
8
Daniel Kwame Mensah
3
Outline of the Presentation
• Situational Profile of the Conflict
• Causes of the Conflict
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Analysis of Existing Responses
• New Interventions for Resolving the Conflict
4
Situational Profile
AT A GLANCE
• 3000 casualties
• 1.3 million people in need of some humanitarian assistance as of 30 June,
2019
• About 530,000 people have been internally displaced and tens of
thousands have been forced to flee into Nigeria as refugees.
• An estimated 42,500 children have missed at least a year of school.
• A substantial increase in Gender Based Violence has been reported in the
North-West and South-West Regions since the Crisis started.
5
What Exactly is the Anglophone Problem?
• The Anglophone Problem is a vestige of the colonial legacy of Cameroon. It is a sociopolitical issue which intermittently pits residents of the country’s Northwest and Southwest
Regions against the Government of Cameroon.
• The problem goes to the origins of Cameroon itself.
WHEN DID IT START?
• 1884 – 1919 : GERMAN COLONY OF KAMERUN
• The territory of The Republic of Cameroon today was allocated to The German Empire in
the Berlin Conference of 1884.
• The German Empire gets sucked into war after endorsing Austria-Hungary attack on
Serbia.
• First World War begins.
Map showing the historical trajectory
of the Anglophone Crisis
6
7
Administration and Independence
• 1919-1960 : ANGLO-FRENCH BIFURCATION AND ADMINISTRATION
• The Treaty of Versailles ends World War I and blames Germany for the War and converts
German colonies into League of Nations mandates.
• Kamerun is divided between Great Britain and France.
• 1945-1961 : END OF SECOND WORLD WAR: AGE OF AFRICAN INDEPENDENCE
• League of Nations mandates converted into United Nations trust territories to be
administered with a view to eventual independence.
• French Cameroonians and emigres call for reunification with British Cameroon to boost
their case for independence.
• British Cameroonians entertain reunification as leverage for more autonomy from British
Nigeria.
• French Cameroon gains independence on 1 st January 1960 under President Ahidjo. Nigeria
gains independence on 1st October 1960.
Plebiscite, Federalisation and the birth of the
anglophone problem
8
• Following Sydney Phillipson report, UNGA Res. 1352 XIV tables integration with Nigeria or The
Republic of Cameroon as questions for referendum.
• Resolution ignores agreement at Mamfe All-Party Conference for independence as a
question in plebiscite.
• The February 1961 plebiscite is held, Northern Cameroons votes to join Nigeria and does so
in June. Southern Cameroon votes to join The Republic of Cameroon.
• Bamenda Conference of the Southern Cameroons resolves for a decentralized federal
structure with a bicameral legislature.
• Foumban Conference headed by Ahidjo ignores the resolutions of the Bamenda
Conference.
• Constitution is however agreed to by John Ngu Foncha for the Southern Cameroonians.
• The Federal Republic of Cameroon is realized on 1st October, 1961.
Reunification and the muddying of
waters
9
• In 1966, Cameroon became a one-party state by the merger of Foncha’s KNDP and
Ahidjo’s UC to form the UNC.
• Foncha was subsequently forced out and Salomon Tandeng-Muna was appointed in his
stead as both Federal Vice-President and Prime Minister of the Western Region.
• A referendum was organized and conducted by the UNC to make the country a unitary
Republic. It succeeded thus in 1972, the country became The United Republic of
Cameroon.
• Paul Biya became president and changed the name of the country to The Republic of
Cameroon in 1984.
• Perceived marginalization by Anglophones with reference to
i.
shutting down of Anglophone businesses.
ii.
misappropriation of resources in the Western regions.
iii. the undermining of the English sub-education and Common Law systems.
iv. undermining of the position of Vice President amongst other grievances.
The Current Crisis
10
• ROAD TO 2016
• John Fru Ndi formed the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in March 1990 in defiance of the
one-party state.
• Following the return of multi-party politics, other political parties and Civil Society
Organisations sprung up.
• CURRENT CONTEXT
• Lawyers and trade unionist begun to protest the undermining of the Common Law and
English sub-education systems by the posting of French judges in October 2016.
• Protests evolved to incorporate old sentiments of Anglophone subjugation.
• Government responded with the use of force, banning CSOs and shutting down the
internet.
• By mid-2017, Self-Proclaimed Armed Separatist groups emerged including ADF.
11
Recent Developments
• President Biya called for a National Dialogue to be held. It happened between 30th
September and 4th October 2019.
• Certain proposals were made including renaming the country to United Republic of
Cameroon.
• Separatists called the Dialogue inadequate as it sidelined certain actors and did not
tolerate the question of secession. It vowed to keep fighting.
• The US on 31st October scraped preferential trade benefits for Cameroon for alleged gross
violations of human rights in breach of s.104 African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Causes of the conflict
12
• Frances Stewart argues that the coincidence of prevailing political, social and economic
inequalities with cultural differences constitutes the main driver of conflict. She calls this a
Theory of Horizontal Inequalities.
• The Anglophone Problem is a case in point of this theory.
• The causes became apparent in 3 stages;
i.
Structural Cause
ii.
Proximate Cause
iii. Triggers
13
TRIGGERS
Government response
To October 2016 protests
PROXIMATE
CAUSES
Coincidence of perceived
cultural domination with
economic, political inequality
STRUCTURAL
CAUSES
DEEP HISTORICAL
ROOTS
Perceived violation of right to
self-determination in plebiscite
and Foumban conference.
Anglo-French division
led to the development of
different cultures
Structural Causes
14
• Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) guarantees the right to self-determination of all peoples. It
includes the right of people to "determine their political status and
freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”
• UNGA Resolution 1352 XIV was a violation of right to determine
political status.
• Further exacerbated by the sidelining of the Bamenda resolutions
during the Foumban Conference.
• The combination of these sent a signal to the Anglophones that they
were not in control of their political, economic, social and cultural
destiny.
15
Proximate Causes
• According to Stewart model, this is the stage where cultural differences coincide with
economic, social and political inequality.
• Period between 1966 One-Party state and 2016.
• The unification of Cameroon and Biya’s renaming signaled a subsumption of Anglophone
culture into the dominant French culture.
• The casting out of Foncha and replacement with Ahidjo appointees was a sign of political
inequality.
• The shutting down of Anglophone businesses and mismanagement of Anglophone
resources led to economic hardship in Western regions.
• The undermining of the Common Law system and English sub-education system affected
the social fabric of the Western regions.
• Combination of these created a hostile environment ripe for conflict.
16
Triggers
• October 2016 protests of the posting of French judges and teachers.
• Government forceful response to protests.
• Banning of CSOs: Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) and Southern
Cameroon National Council (SCNC).
• Arrest of Barrister Agbor Balla, Dr. Neba Fontem of the CACSC and others.
• Shutting down the internet in Western regions.
• Heightened use of force after ghost towns and strikes.
• Sustained use of force after Republic of Ambazonia is declared on 1st October 2017.
• Arrest of supposed Pres. Julius Sisiku Ayuk Tabe
Actors: Positions, Interests
Capacities and Relationships
17
LEGEND
GC – Govt. of Cameroon
U – Unitarists
F – Federalists
S – Separatists
FRA – France
USA – United States
FGN – Govt. of Nigeri
Stakeholder Analysis:
Primary Actors - Cameroon
Actors
Government of
Cameroon
Positions
Interests
• A United
• To maintain a
Cameroon
unitary
• The use of
Republic
proportionate
through
force against
whatever
terrorists.
means,
• Reconciliation
peaceful or
and readiness
otherwise.
to listen.
• To ensure
continuous
international
recognition
and support.
18
Capacities
Relationships
• Armed Forces
of 14,200
soldiers as at
2014.
• Gendarmarie
of 9000
strength as at
2016.
• State media
for govt.
propaganda.
• Military
partnership
with France.
• Military
assistance by
US to fight
Boko Haram
as part of
multi-national
task force.
19
Primary Actors - Separatists
Actors
Positions
Interests
Interim Govt. of
Ambazonia
(IGA),
Ambazonia
Governing
Council (AGC)
The creation of
an independent
country of
Ambazonia
through the use
of force.
• Total
Independence
from
Cameroon.
• Access to
power and
resources.
SCNC
The realization of
Ambazonia
through
peaceful and
diplomatic
means.
• Release of
leaders
including Ayuk
Tabe
Capacities
Relationships
ADF comprising • ASC and ADF
respectively.
2000 fighters.
• Support from
ASC umbrella
renegade
group for several
forces in
militias.
Nigerian armed
SCBC for
Separatist
propaganda
•
forces
Intermittent
relationship
with SDF
Member of the
Unrecognised
Peoples and
Nations
Organisation.
Primary Actors - Federalists
Actors
Social
Democratic
Front (SDF)
CACSC
Positions
• Federalization
of Cameroon
• Restoration of
bilingualism in
and
multiculturalism
• Anglophone
administrative
system with its
own executive,
legislature and
judiciary
•
•
•
•
20
Interests
Capacities
Relationships
End to
economic and
political
marginalization
Preservation of
Anglophone
legal and
education
system
Restoration of
internet service
throughout
Anglophone
regions
• SDF has 18
out of 20 NW
seats in
National
Assembly
Intermittent
relationship with
both
government and
separatist
groups.
Release CACSC
leaders
• Has best
legal claim
to legitimacy
and can
participate in
any debate
in National
Assembly.
Primary Actors - Unitarists
Actors
Unitarists
Positions
Maintain that
comprehensive
development of
Anglophones is
possible in
Unitary State.
Interests
•Further decentralization
and the conferment of
special status on the
Western Regions.
•Restoration of the House
of Traditional chiefs.
•The election of local
governors.
•The rapid integration of
ex-combatants
•Rename country back to
the United Republic of
Cameroon
Capacities
21
Relationships
Share a good
relationship with
the Government
and many of the
Anglophone
appointees of
the government
22
Secondary Actors
Actors
Positions
France
Nigeria
Capacities
Relationships
Congress resolution
for Federalization
Gross violations of
rights by govt.
• Fight against
Boko Haram
Monetary and
Military
assistance
Intermittent
relationship with
Govt. Offers
military
assistance for BH
• In support of
unitary state
• Refused for UNSC
to meet on issue.
Want continuous
dialogue
Maintains
businesses in
Cameroon
Military
partnership with
Cameroon
Military
agreement with
Cameroon.
Discourage
separatists from
using Nigeria as
base for operations
Help in the fight
against Boko
Haram
•
USA
Interests
•
Ally on UNSC
Have extradited
separatists living
in Nigeria
Alliance with
Cameroon in
multi-national
force against BH.
Existing Responses to the Conflict:
Government of Cameroon
23
• The government has used a combination of forceful and peaceful measures in a bid to
end the conflict.
POWER BASED APPROACH
• The initial use of force to dispel October 2016 protests.
• Banning of CACSC and SCNC and arrest of leaders.
• Securitization of Separatists.
• Sustained use of disproportionate force against persons with inferior weapons.
• Burning of over 200 villages.
• HUMAN RIGHTS BASED APPROACH
• Participation in Swiss held mediation in July 2019.
• Rehabilitation and grant of immunity to “terrorists” who surrender.
• Proposed and held National Dialogue to hear Anglophone grievances.
24
Cont’d
•
•
•
•
•
NEEDS BASED APPROACH
Setting up an English division of the Supreme Court and creating a Common Law Section at
School of Administration and Magistracy
Translating the OHADA Act to English
Recruitment of bilingual teachers to teach in Secondary School
Setting up a National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism
Proposals at National Dialogue including;
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
the adoption of a special status for the two Anglophone regions
the restoration of the House of Traditional Chiefs
the election of local governors
the immediate relaunch of certain airport and seaport projects in the two regions
the rapid integration of ex-combatants into society
the name of the country be returned to former name, the United Republic of Cameroon
implement the law that government officials declare their assets, in order to tackle corruption
25
Anglophone Responses
• Several former CACSC members switched from advocating for federalization to becoming
separatists after ban and arrests.
• School boycotts and ghost towns.
• Large scale protests in late 2017.
• The proclamation of Ambazonian independence on 1st October 2017.
• Participation in guerilla tactics against gendarmaries and Cameroonian military.
• The forceful implementation of ghost towns leading to violence against teachers, priests
and other civilians.
• Rejection of National Dialogue as being exclusive and inadequate.
• Sustained violence after National Dialogue.
International response
26
• REGIONAL
• On 18th January 2017, African Union issued press statement to express concern about
situation in Cameroon and indicated its willingness to assist in its resolution.
• ACHPR/Res. 395 (LXII) condemns the human rights abuses by both parties and calls for
dialogue in 62nd Ordinary Session (April - May 2018).
• Supports Switzerland mediation in 2019.
• INTERNATIONAL
• European Parliament adopted resolution in April 2019 for crisis to be considered by UNSC.
• France, Russia and China as permanent members blocked the motion for UNSC to meet
on crisis on grounds that AU was best suited to handle the crisis (Article 52(2) UN Charter)
• Arria-Formula was held instead on 13th May 2019 to consider the human rights situation.
• UNSC supported Switzerland mediation attempt.
Cont’d
27
• COUNTRIES
• United States
• Cut military spending on Cameroon in 2019 after spending about USD220 million between
2012-2018.
• Scraped trade benefits for Cameroon on 31st October 2019 under the African Growth and
Opportunity Act.
• US House of Representatives resolved for a return to federal rule in Cameroon.
• Together with Great Britain in condemning govt for abuses and in support for UNSC to
discuss crisis.
• France maintains military alliance with Cameroon. Is in support of a continued Unitary
State.
• Nigeria has expressed support for govt. Extradited 12 Ambazonian leaders. Nigerian court
found extradition unconstitutional.
• Switzerland mediation attempt failed due to cooperation problems.
• Vatican City has offered itself as a mediator since Cameroon has a huge Catholic base.
• Canada offered USD 6.65 million as humanitarian aid in April 2019.
Recommendations: National Level
28
• Govt. authorities must conduct thorough and impartial investigations into human rights
abuses on all sides and subject all perpetrators to a fair trial.
• Govt. authorities must cease the arbitrary arrest, detention and subjecting detainees to
torture and inhumane treatment.
• Govt. authorities must use proportionate and necessary force against armed separatists.
• Govt. authorities must compensate victims of human rights abuses.
• RECOMMENDATIONS: REGIONAL (CHAPTER VI MEASURES)
• ACHPR must request to undertake a fact-finding mission in the Anglophone regions
pursuant to its mandate. Mission should incorporate relevant special mechanisms.
• If granted, recommendations should be made to the government and Anglophone
stakeholders. Such recommendations may include;
• All parties must agree to a ceasefire agreement in lieu of a mediation pursuant to Art. 33
UN Charter.
• All parties must engage in an inclusive mediation with no possibilities being ruled out. The
Vatican City may mediate as the Catholic Church is influential in Cameroon.
Recommendations: Regional Level
29
• Should the mediation result in remaining with Cameroon either as a unitary or federal state,
The parties must issue a roadmap to the sustenance of negative peace in the immediate
aftermath of mediation and reasonable steps to be taking towards positive peace such as;
i.
Duplication of relevant national documents in English.
ii.
Establishment of important state institutions in Anglophone regions.
iii. A thorough, practical development plan for Anglophone regions during certain timelines.
iv. Other necessary measures.
• ACHPR should refer to ACtHPR in case of default of roadmap for determination of
sanctions and directions.
Recommendations: International Level
30
• UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (CHAPTER VII MEASURES)
• It shall become necessary upon the failure of the regional measures above for the UNSC to
meet and investigate the Anglophone Crisis.
• We shall recommend, in such instance, the issuance of Chapter VII measures on
humanitarian grounds.
• Should begin with a call on the Cameroonian government to comply with regional
recommendations. (Article 40)
• Subsequently, we shall recommend the partial interruption of economic relations until such
a time as the govt. may comply with recommendations. (Article 41)
• Such actions will be without prejudice to the right of the Cameroon govt. to use
proportionate and necessary force to coil Anglophone attacks in violation of regional
recommendations.
• Individual state parties such as United States, France, Great Britain etc. should leverage
military and financial assistance to ensure parties are complying with regional measures.
References
•
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. (Article 45).
•
Amnesty International, A Turn For The Worse: Violence And Human Rights
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Oct. 2019
•
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Accessed 25th Oct. 2019.
•
Article 1, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
32
Cont’d
•
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Oct. 2019.
•
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•
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Cont’d
•
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•
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•
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•
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34
Cont’d
•
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•
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•
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•
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•
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Cont’d
•
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the North-West and South-West Regions.” Cameroon-Info.Net, 29th Dec. 2016. http://www.camerooninfo.net/article/cameroon-bamenda-provincial-episcopal-conference-memorandum-to-president-paul-biya-on-thecurrent-situation-in-278001.html. Accessed 30th Oct. 2019
•
Protocol To The African Charter On Human And Peoples’ Rights On The
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•
Stewart, Frances. “Horizontal Inequalities: A Neglected Dimension of Development.” Wider Perspectives on Global
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Gareth.
•
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•
United Nations Charter. (Articles 33, 40, 41, 52).
36
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