From the Anglophone problem to the crisis

We propose to investigate the evolution of the anglophone problem that has led to the crisis in the two English-speaking parts of Cameroon. This problem which has become crucial for the State of Cameroon has its roots in the post-colonial period when one of the preoccupations of the rulers was the formation of a united and stable nation. This led to the postulate of coloniaphony. In other words attachment to a colonial identity. In a historical-constructivist approach we have identified three categories of identity construction: the colonial matrix marked by a dual colonial heritage which laid the foundations for the problem of the form of the state from 1960 onwards; the abolition of federalism in 1972; and finally the feeling of marginalization of English-speakers by the French-speaking majority. This problem dates back to 1961 when the political elites of French-speaking and English-speaking Cameroon with Franco-British assistance came together to form a federal state. Contrary to Anglophones' expectations this form of state did not encourage the equal sharing of their dual cultural heritage including what they consider to be their cultural heritage.