Paper short abstract:

Influenced by the 'local turn' in peacebuilding, with evidence from research that highlights the voices of those most affected by the Anglophone conflict in Cameroon, this paper investigates the views from below on how to achieve resolution of this intractable war now in its sixth year.

Paper long abstract:

The Anglophone crisis in bilingual Cameroon morphed in 2016/2017 from peaceful protests and civil disobedience by civil society organisations into an armed conflict between state security forces and separatist groups fighting for an independent Republic of Ambazonia. Now in its sixth year, this hidden and neglected war has killed thousands and forcibly displaced over a million people, with little current prospects for its resolution. This paper traces the historical roots and contemporary triggers of the current conflict, then focuses on the impact of the conflict on the English-speaking population and their perspectives on its resolution. The paper is theoretically informed by the local turn in peacebuilding which places emphasis on the significance of local actors and the non-governmental sector. It uses data from research that highlights the voices of those most affected by the conflict. The urgent need for ‘inclusive dialogue’ was the most common call among research participants, including not only the warring parties, but also diaspora elements that support the secessionist struggle, and, significantly, representatives of affected communities on the ground. The crucial involvement of women was emphasised, given the key role that women’s organisations play in advocating for peace. Nonetheless, participants were very aware of the intransigent position of the government and that international pressure, currently absent, is crucial to supplement the calls for peace negotiations from below. Participants also noted that peace with justice for Anglophone citizens requires longstanding grievances to be tackled and political reforms included in negotiations to ensure that root causes are addressed.