Continued Dialogue Urged for Anglophone Crisis Resolution in Cameroon

The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon has persisted for nearly a decade, marked by significant violence and unrest in the South West region. The conflict primarily stems from demands for greater autonomy and recognition of English-speaking regions, leading to a humanitarian crisis. As of now, the government has not indicated a willingness to engage in international mediation, raising concerns about the future of peace efforts (articleIds: [3c05b615-9ed7-41e1-82c1-f028c85ad5bc]).

Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute's recent dialogue in Buea on September 28, 2026, aimed to foster peace and reconciliation among various community leaders. However, many believe that this approach alone is insufficient to resolve the underlying issues of the conflict. Calls for a more comprehensive dialogue that includes all stakeholders, particularly those directly affected by the violence, have been echoed by several experts and advocates (articleIds: [b0949f9e-eccb-470f-84ed-1871865e3471, 7cd2e8a7-60e0-4483-b371-ef4ff0f6da86]).

Nkongho Felix Agbor, a prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, has stressed the importance of ongoing consultations with victims of the conflict following the community dialogue. He argues that their voices must be integral to any peace process, ensuring that the needs and experiences of those most affected are adequately represented (articleIds: [b0949f9e-eccb-470f-84ed-1871865e3471, 433f7565-4380-43bd-b3d2-8c0e8f7bfa4a]).

Experts like Prof. Willibroad Dze-Ngwa have echoed these sentiments, asserting that the Anglophone crisis cannot simply resolve itself over time. They advocate for a new, serious dialogue that goes beyond previous efforts, such as the 2019 Major National Dialogue, to address the root causes of the conflict effectively (articleIds: [8659e4d6-d908-4428-8e11-9656f3adaa59, 7a584ac8-8652-41f1-9246-fe1de90cf40d]).

Mark Bareta has criticized Prime Minister Ngute's reliance on community meetings, arguing that they cannot substitute for direct negotiations with Ambazonia leadership. He emphasizes that without engaging the leaders of the separatist movement, any dialogue risks being superficial and ineffective (articleIds: [53b85ed9-c5d2-4659-9b66-9c36a67ed328]).

The sentiment that the government cannot win the conflict through military means is gaining traction among various stakeholders. Success Nkongho has proposed a two-state federation and inclusive talks as part of a comprehensive plan to resolve the crisis, highlighting the need for a shift in strategy from the government (articleIds: [259ee531-f283-4de8-a55a-3d214b307b39]).