The Foreign Desk Cameroon’s forgotten crisis: Is reconciliation in the Anglo-Franco schism possible?
Jul 26, 2025
Blaise Aiong, a journalist and filmmaker from Douala, and Juliana Makuchi-Nfah, a distinguished English professor and author, join Mimi Mefo, founder of a notable news network on Cameroonian conflict. They delve into the re-election bid of President Biya and the violent Anglophone crisis, exploring the stark political divides. The guests discuss the dangers journalists face in covering these events and the complex identities shaped by language. They emphasize the need for decentralized governance to heal the deep-seated Anglophone-Francophone divide and foster reconciliation.
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Biya's Enduring Presidency
- President Paul Biya's bid for another term at 92 is unsurprising to Cameroonians. - He has been the only president many living citizens have known, ruling for over four decades.
Weak Opposition Fragmentation
- Cameroon’s opposition is fragmented and weak, partly due to Biya's policies and control. - Strong opposition figures have little chance against Biya's entrenched power and control over state security.
Election Challenges in Anglophone Regions
- The Anglophone conflict is a major issue but not central in the election discourse. - Elections in Anglophone regions are threatened with violence from separatists rejecting central government control.