Anglophone Identity in the Cameroonian Body Politic: Perceptions and Political Agitations Since 1961

Abstract

This study examines Anglophone identity and political agitation in the Republic of Cameroon since reunification in 1961, focusing on the historical origins of Anglophone consciousness, perceptions of marginalization, and the evolution of political resistance within the Cameroonian body politic. Using a qualitative historical methodology based on primary and secondary sources, the study reveals that the distinct colonial experiences of British Southern Cameroons and French Cameroun created divergent legal, educational, and political traditions that shaped Anglophone identity after reunification. The abolition of the federal system in 1972 and the increasing centralization of political power intensified perceptions of exclusion and cultural assimilation among Anglophones, leading to organized political agitation ranging from constitutional advocacy and civil society activism to protests and armed resistance. The study further finds that although Anglophone agitation has succeeded in preserving collective identity and attracting national and international attention to issues of governance and representation, it continues to face challenges such as political repression, internal fragmentation, militarization, and limited institutional reforms. The study concludes that the Anglophone crisis is deeply rooted in historical and structural factors associated with colonial legacies, identity politics, and centralized governance, and recommends inclusive dialogue, constitutional reforms, protection of Anglophone institutions, equitable development, and democratic governance as necessary measures for sustainable peace and national integration in Cameroon.