Cameroon election: Who can solve the Anglophone crisis?

In Cameroon, violence between Anglophone separatists and government forces has killed at least 400 people this year, and more unrest is expected ahead of the country’s October 7 election.

Because they do not recognise the Cameroonian government, English-speaking separatists are attempting to prevent the vote from taking place in the country’s Northwest and Southwest regions. Anglophone residents there say they have long suffered marginalisation by Cameroon’s Francophone-majority. Protests by teachers and lawyers starting in 2016 helped prompt renewed calls for the establishment of an independent state of Ambazonia for Anglophone residents. But demonstrations have grown into armed conflict with violence targeted at civilians and schools that has driven tens of thousands to become internally displaced or flee into neighbouring countries.

The conflict has put Cameroonian troops at odds with Ambazonia Liberation Forces and other secessionist groups. So far, none of the parties involved have been able to meet to discuss a potential resolution to the violence. In this episode, we’ll look at the impact of this crisis and ask if Cameroon has the political leadership to solve it.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Edwin Ngang @GovAmba 
Senior Presidential Adviser, “Republic of Ambazonia”
Community Organizer for Ambazonia People’s Restoration Movement
ambazonia.org

Ahmed Idris @Ahmedtj66 
Reporter, Al Jazeera English 

Kah Walla @kahwalla 
Cameroon People’s Party President
kahwalla.com

Read more:
Violence in Cameroon’s anglophone regions ‘spiralling out of control’ – The Guardian 
Cameroon Anglophone crisis: Child refugees in Nigeria seek help – AJE

What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts below.