Ecclesial Response to the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon: A Path to Restoring Peaceful Coexistence among Citizens

Abstract

The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, which began in 2016, has greatly affected unity and peaceful coexistence among citizens. This crisis can be traced back to colonial rule and the unification of both Francophones and Anglophones in 1961, which has led to protests, strikes, school closures in some parts of the Anglophone region, deaths, and property destruction, among others. The failure to address the Anglophone Crisis threatens the federation with separation between the Anglophones (English speakers) and the Francophones (French speakers) in Cameroon. An attempt to render the regions uncontrollable by the government has created an environment that has prevented citizens from peaceful coexistence. The absence of Peaceful coexistence continues to be a significant challenge for Cameroonian society today.

Peaceful coexistence is essential in Cameroon: it builds healthy relationships, fosters a sense of togetherness, enhances individual growth, and strengthens society. However, peaceful coexistence can be restored in Cameroon so that the citizens can coexist harmoniously. It can be achieved when the ecclesial (Church) responds to the Anglophone Crisis.

The absence of peaceful coexistence is evident in the tensions between the Cameroon military forces and the Ambazonia defense forces. Also, some people cannot freely move along certain routes in the country, and government workers cannot travel spontaneously across the Anglophone region (Roberts, 2022). Therefore, this paper examines the ecclesia's response to the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, aiming to restore peaceful coexistence among citizens.