The Human Cost of Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Lives Disrupted by Violence and Grief

Cameroon’s separatist conflict: Trapped between anglophone militants and the army

Four years after the tragic death of her husband, Ngabi Dora Tue remains ensnared in grief as she navigates the turmoil of a region deeply affected by conflict in Cameroon. The coffin of Johnson Mabia, an English-speaking civil servant, was met with sorrowful cries from friends and family in Limbe, a town that has borne witness to such tragedies far too often.

Johnson was abducted along with five colleagues by armed separatists while on a work assignment. Fighting for independence, these militants are part of a prolonged struggle involving Cameroon’s two primarily anglophone regions in a nation predominantly influenced by francophone governance. Since the conflict began nearly a decade ago, it has taken the lives of thousands and disrupted the daily lives of countless others.

Upon her husband’s abduction, Dora faced her own battle, attempting to secure Johnson’s freedom. The separatists demanded a ransom exceeding $55,000 within 24 hours. Tragically, the response she received instead was a heart-wrenching call from a relative informing her that Johnson had been murdered shortly after his capture.

“Tuesday he was travelling, and Friday he was killed,” Dora recalls, overwhelmed by the weight of her loss. Johnson had not only been killed but decapitated, a gruesome end to a man who was merely a victim in a fight for self-determination.

The Evolution of Conflict

The roots of the current unrest can be traced back to historical grievances surrounding the unification of Cameroon in 1961, merging former British and French territories into one nation. The English-speaking minority has long felt marginalized, and it became evident during peaceful protests in 2016 and 2017, which criticized the increasing dominance of the francophone legal system in their courts. These protests triggered a harsh military response that involved beatings and mass arrests.

As tensions boiled, armed groups initiated their own resistance, leading to the declaration of a new state called the Federal Republic of Ambazonia in late 2017. This declaration has since embroiled approximately five million anglophone Cameroonians, contributing to thousands of deaths and the displacement of many more.

Blaise Eyong, a journalist from Kumba, reflects on life amid ongoing violence, stating, “We used to wake up in the morning to dead bodies on the streets.” The situation is so dire that his own family fled their home due to escalating threats and violent atrocities.

Attempts at Resolution

Despite various national and international efforts to address the conflict, including a so-called “major national dialogue” held in 2019, progress has been minimal. The discussions only conferred a special status to the anglophone regions without delivering tangible improvements. Felix Agbor Nkongho, a barrister who participated in the protests, notes the diminishing trust in separatist leaders, acknowledging that the moral authority once held by these leaders has now faded.

Human Rights Concerns

Skepticism also surrounds the actions of the government forces, which have been documented committing human rights violations against citizens, including torture and extrajudicial killings. One victim, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, described being tortured by military personnel while detained without any legal justification.

Additionally, the conflict has also given rise to a new form of violence, with militant factions within separatist regions battling against each other. John Ewome, commander of one such group, claims to advocate for peace but has faced accusations of committing human rights abuses himself.

The Cycle of Violence Continues

Tragically, many lives, like that of Ngabi Dora Tue, continue to be irreversibly impacted by the ongoing violence. She finds herself in a precarious situation, struggling to provide for her children after the loss of her husband. “I thought of selling my body for money,” she laments, expressing the despair that has taken root since Johnson’s death.

As the conflict and its devastating effects persist, families like Dora’s must brace themselves for the ongoing uncertainty of their future.