Escalating Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon's Northwest and Southwest Regions

The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon's North West and South West regions remains tarnished by violence, with the presence of non-state armed groups engaged in an armed conflict against government forces. What began in 2016 as a peaceful protest movement by Anglophone teachers and lawyers demanding greater autonomy and respect for the rights of the English-speaking minority has escalated into an armed separatist struggle.

The main separatist groups, including the Ambazonia Governing Council, the Ambazonia Self-Defense Council, and the Southern Cameroons Defense Forces, among others, have declared the independence of the self-proclaimed "Federal Republic of Ambazonia." They are fighting to establish a separate state for the Anglophone regions. These groups have carried out numerous attacks on government forces, including different strategies such as the use of improvised explosive devices, kidnappings and ghost-town operations restricting movement and access. 

The recent period leading up to Cameroon's 20 May National Day celebration witnessed intense clashes between Ambazonia rebels and security forces, resulting in several casualties. On the day of the celebrations, suspected separatists assassinated the mayor of Belo town and a deputy mayor in the Northwest region. Earlier in May, government forces targeted separatist strongholds in Ndop town, eliminating a prominent commander and two fighters.

On the 4th of May, the former spokesperson of the Ambazonia Defence Forces armed group, known as "Capo Daniel," called for a ceasefire and direct negotiations with the government in Yaoundé. However, the government dismissed this move, while the ADF denounced him as a "traitor". However, throughout the last month, several clashes between Ambazonia and government security forces caused multiple killings on both sides. 

At the beginning of May, demonstrations broke out in the western part of the country over claims that the ruling political party had committed improprieties related to voter registration. These protests called into question the integrity of the upcoming 2025 electoral process. Concurrently, in the southern region, supporters of the government held rallies on major roads, seemingly with the intent of obstructing opposition political organising and campaigning. These incidents underscore the deep-rooted divisions and mistrust among stakeholders, raising questions about the prospects for a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

Since the start of the violent clashes, reports indicate killings, injuries, and violations of human rights have occurred at the hands of both the government forces and separatist groups. The government's response has been accused of being excessively forceful and abusive including unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, and deliberately burning down villages where separatist fighters were supposedly present. 

As a result, the humanitarian situation in the Northwest and Southwest regions has deteriorated rapidly with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire between the two sides.

Edited by GorStra Research Group | Photo credits: Joel Kouam / Reuters