Cameroon’s Separatist War: Anglophone Grievances and its Diaspora

The document examines the civil war in Cameroon's North-West and South-West regions, which began in 2017 following the violent suppression of protests against francophone domination. It highlights the deep-seated grievances of the anglophone minority, the failure of the 2019 Major National Dialogue, and the critical role of the diaspora in providing financial support, media coverage via the SCBC, and international advocacy. The author argues that the conflict is rooted in post-colonial flaws and recommends an international settlement, potentially including a new referendum.

• The conflict in Cameroon's anglophone regions, which escalated into civil war in 2017, has resulted in over 3,000 deaths, the internal displacement of more than 750,000 people, and approximately 1.3 million people requiring humanitarian aid.
• Anglophone grievances are driven by a perceived 'francophonisation' of the state, where the francophone elite dominates public life and marginalises the English-speaking minority in employment, resource allocation, and the appointment of judges and teachers.
• The 2019 Major National Dialogue (MND) is characterised as a failure and a state propaganda effort because it omitted main separatist leaders and refused to discuss the fundamental structure of the state.
• The anglophone diaspora provides essential support to the separatist cause through financial contributions, humanitarian aid via the Cameroon Humanitarian Relief Initiative (CHRI), and the operation of the South Africa-based Southern Cameroons Broadcasting Corporation (SCBC).
• The current wave of anglophone nationalism is distinguished from previous movements by its youthful leadership and the effective use of digital technologies and social media to shape the narrative and coordinate 'ghost town' boycotts.
• Separatist movements are currently fragmented due to internal rivalries, disagreements over strategic direction, and disputes over the control of donated financial resources.

APA

OROCK, R. (2021). Cameroon’s Separatist War: Anglophone Grievances and its Diaspora. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Policy-Insights-117-orock.pdf

Chicago

OROCK, ROGERS. Cameroon’s Separatist War: Anglophone Grievances and its Diaspora. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2021. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Policy-Insights-117-orock.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=OROCK |first1=ROGERS |title=Cameroon’s Separatist War: Anglophone Grievances and its Diaspora |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Policy-Insights-117-orock.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{orock2021cameroons, author = {OROCK, ROGERS}, title = {{Cameroon’s Separatist War: Anglophone Grievances and its Diaspora}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Policy-Insights-117-orock.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }