Anglophone struggle for political liberalization: Federalism or secession during 1990-2002 years
Anglophone struggle for political liberalization: Federalism or secession during 1990-2002 years
Anglophones have not only played a leading role in the accomplishment of political liberalisation in Cameroon, they have also used the liberalisation of political space to create or reactivate several organisations for the representation and defence of their interests. In this chapter we show that these Anglophone organisations soon came to form a major challenge to the Francophone- dominated unitary state, insisting that the government should place federalism on the constitutional reform agenda. Confronted with the government’s persistent refusal to enter into negotiations about a return to the federal state, they gradually adopted an even more radical stand, striving for secession and independence of the Anglophone territory.
In their pursuit of self-determination or autonomy, in the form of either a return to the federal state or outright secession, the Anglophone organisations have tried to muster the support of the international community and the Anglo- phone population. They have engaged in both a diplomatic offensive, regularly sending missions to relevant embassies, states and international organisations, and a ‘sensitisation campaign’ to inform the Anglophone population about their objectives and strategies and to mobilise it for action against the Francophone- dominated unitary state. They enjoyed growing popularity in the Anglophone
territory in the period 1992-1996, having scored some successes in their struggle for autonomy. While the Anglophone movements for various reasons lost their initial momentum from 1996 onwards, the unexpected proclamation of the independence of the Anglophone territory on 30 December 1999 appears to have provided a new impetus to the Anglophone struggle.
