Harry's Outlook

Recently, I spoke with some friends of mine. We talked about little nothings… drinks, girls, politics… everything… anything… like many do. The chapter on politics caught my attention and I realised that while we agreed on many issues, our knowledge and outlook on the anglophone problem were miles apart. It seemed to me that the analytic rigour and variety of sources that informed their opinions on other issues suddenly evaporated once they had to discuss the Anglophone problem. I tried to put in a few words unsuccessfully. Then I realised that I had to wait for my moment. The conversation ran its course and glided into preparations for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019 and Cameroon’s readiness to host the tournament. We exchanged for a while over the matter and my impression was that they didn’t feel optimistic at all. They argued that the decision by Cameroon to bid to host the tournament in 2018 was meant to create a national buzz and feel-good feeling in the months lead...

For over a year now, Cameroon has witnessed a high point in one of its most prolonged political crises… the Anglophone Problem. In the past twelve months, there have been peaks and troughs, periods of tension and periods of hope. There has been dialogue and attempts to mediate between the various parties involved in the crisis. There have been arrests and liberations, protests, killings, violence, acts of appeasement, political distraction, diplomatic moves and a de facto war, though undeclared, to occupy the media scene and sway the public sympathy. Amongst other things, the crisis has brought back to the table the question of the independence of the judiciary in Cameroon. It has highlighted the previously contested political motivation of the anti-terrorism law. It has brought the Anglophone question to prominence in the agenda of all political parties. It has reignited the debate over the agenda of decentralisation as inscribed in the constitution and raised speculations arou...