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Introduction
Critical issues of governance in Cameroon and the unfair domination by the Francophone political class have historically attracted little external focus. However, this perception has changed due to the economic and political upheaval in the country known as the Anglophone crisis or the Ambazonian war, which is a long standing dispute between the government of Cameroon and independent separatists from the Southwest and Northwest (Southern Cameroons) region.1 Cameroon is referred to as “Africa in miniature”2 owing to its geographical, linguistic and cultural heterogeneity. Host to one of the highest literacy rates on the continent, Cameroon is viewed as all of Africa in a single country because it exhibits all the major ecological features of the continent: coast, desert, mountains, rainforest, resources, and savanna. This country of enormous potential has had its economic and political prosperity hampered by corruption and decades of Francophone authoritarian rule which has been a perennial source of conflict with the Anglophones. Anglophone political representation, economic development, and minority rights have been as a matter of policy, consistently eroded since 1961. It is estimated that Cameroon has over 200 languages of which 24 are major African language groups in addition to English and French, which are the official languages. But according to Ngwoh, there are about 250 ethnic groups in Cameroon with diverse origins, cultures and traditions. The most famous are; the Bamileke, Bassa-Bakoko, Bata, Duala, Fang-Beti, Kirdi, Mbororo, Pygmies, Shuwa Arabs, and Tikar. The country has four cultural zones: Sawa, Grassfield, Fang-Beti and Sudano Sahelian.3 Cameroon on both sides (Francophone/Anglophone) must regain its unity and Cameroon on both sides (Francophone/ Anglophone) must regain its unity and dignity. This is non-negotiable. Unless the Francophone is free, Ambazonia cannot be free because the colonial powers never left willingly as evident in their trails and legacies.
Geo-Strategic Location of Southern Cameroon
The Republic of Cameroon, with its capital in Yaoundé, has a land mass of about 475,442 square kilometres (183,568 square miles) and; an estimated population of about 24.6 million, with 20% of the population being Anglophone. The major religions are Christianity, Islam, and indigenous beliefs. Life expectancy is 56 years for men and 59 years for women. Paul Biya, age 86, has been president since 1982 and is one...