The rationale for this paper is to get into the lens of what is the Anglophone conflict- a conflict situation that has gripped the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. Following the escalation of what started as merely civil protests from the educational and common law lawyers professions for better working conditions and respecting the Anglophone educational and legal identity saw a twist of events in 2018. With the escalation of the crisis to a conflict, the government and her development partners have sought a wide range of measures as step towards resolving the ongoing. It is the place of this academic paper to peruse through the measures put in place so far. In this therefore the paper had adopted a qualitative method of analysis of data obtained through semi-structured interviews while corroborating with the Pyramid Model of Conflict transformation as framework for analysis. The findings of this show that government resolution mechanisms have come as a result of the Major National Dialogue and the themes that surrounded this dialogue. The paper takes note of the dwindling nature of the ongoing conflict following these measures implemented so far as it can be viewed have not really yielded the much expected results. It is in this light that the paper has put forth the following recommendations like; building meaningful relationship with the civil society stakeholders, introduce the culture of civilian-military relations
Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of Problem
The Mechanisms implemented to promote Conflict Transformation
Political Mechanisms
Judicial Mechanisms
Economic and Social Mechanisms
Educational Mechanisms
The Establishment of Security Sectors and Reintegration Units
Developmental Changes in the Socio-cultural and Linguistic Landscape
The Mechanisms for Management of Displaced Persons and Refugees
Institution of Decentralisation and Local Development
4.1.8.1. The Creation of the Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Development
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the effectiveness of the various government-led mechanisms implemented to address and transform the Anglophone conflict in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, evaluating whether these measures—ranging from political dialogue and judicial reforms to socio-economic reconstruction—have contributed to meaningful conflict resolution or if they have failed to achieve the desired stability.
- Appraisal of governmental conflict resolution tools.
- Effectiveness of the Major National Dialogue and its outcomes.
- Evaluation of education, judicial, and decentralization reforms.
- Impact of the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Plan on displaced populations.
- Critique of DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration) programs.
Excerpt from the Book
Judicial Mechanisms
Taking cognisance of the role the judicial has had in relation to the ongoing conflict, bearing in mind one of the causes of the renewed grievances that transformed into a conflict was the common law lawyers protests against the deliberate infringing into the legal and identical rights of the Anglophones. Ever since with the beginning of Common Law lawyers strike against the marginalisation of Anglophones by the central administration in Yaoundé. Such changes that have been witnessed and their effects abound include; creation of a common law bench at the Supreme Court, creation of a common law department at ENAM, the translation of the OHADA Law into English, the redeployment of francophone magistrates with little or no experience of the common law system and it practices, among many other visible changes noticeable in this sector.
The first major judicial redress injected was the translation of the OHADA Uniform Act into the Common Law as part of efforts towards resolving the Anglophone conflict. According to field data attest that there have been a great improvement with the use of the law ever since its translation was effected by the government. Despite this appraisal from legal practitioners others hold the opinion that the mere translation of the OHADA Uniform Act Law from French into English language has not really brought any meaningful development in the practice and applicability of this law given that it originated from civil law background and therefore, the content of the law remains the same with most of the concepts and expression in the original text not being able to be translated or better still the equivalent of some of the concept in its original language absent in English and therefore difficult in finding a common ground when it comes to proper understanding and use in common law system (face-to-face interview on the 26th of April, 2023 at 11:10 GMT).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a historical overview of conflict in human society and sets the context for the emergence of the Anglophone conflict in Cameroon.
Statement of Problem: Outlines the escalation of civil protest into a conflict and the government's subsequent implementation of various resolution measures.
The Mechanisms implemented to promote Conflict Transformation: Introduces the thematic analysis of how the government has attempted to bring conditions back to normalcy.
Political Mechanisms: Assesses the Major National Dialogue and the granting of Special Status to the affected regions as mechanisms for political autonomy.
Judicial Mechanisms: Examines changes such as the common law bench at the Supreme Court and the translation of the OHADA Law into English.
Economic and Social Mechanisms: Discusses the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development (PPRD) managed by the UNDP.
Educational Mechanisms: Reviews policies regarding lecturer recruitment, academic harmonization, and school subsidies.
The Establishment of Security Sectors and Reintegration Units: Critiques the effectiveness of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) program.
Developmental Changes in the Socio-cultural and Linguistic Landscape: Evaluates the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism.
The Mechanisms for Management of Displaced Persons and Refugees: Analyzes the Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Plan and the role of UNHCR.
Institution of Decentralisation and Local Development: Reviews the creation of the Ministry of Decentralisation and the challenges of devolving powers to local councils.
Conclusion: Summarizes findings, noting that while mechanisms exist, their impact and effective implementation remain subjects of significant criticism and debate.
Keywords
Cameroon, Anglophone Conflict, Conflict Transformation, Major National Dialogue, Decentralisation, Judicial Reform, DDR, Humanitarian Assistance, Bilingualism, Socio-economic Recovery, Governance, Political Crisis, Peacebuilding, Reconstruction, Public Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper is an academic critique evaluating the mechanisms and tools implemented by the Cameroonian government to resolve or transform the ongoing Anglophone conflict in the North West and South West regions.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The work covers political reforms, judicial adjustments, economic reconstruction, educational policy changes, security and DDR programs, and the institutionalization of decentralization.
What is the core research question?
The paper asks whether the government’s implemented mechanisms have effectively brought about concrete conflict transformation and whether these tools have resolved the underlying grievances or failed to yield expected results.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author adopts a qualitative method of data analysis, utilizing semi-structured interviews and existing literature, while concurrently applying the "Pyramid Model of Conflict Transformation" as a analytical framework.
What does the main body of the text discuss?
The main body systematically reviews specific interventions like the Major National Dialogue, the PPRD economic plan, educational subsidies, the DDR transit centers, and the creation of regional assemblies.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include: Conflict, Anglophone Problem, Anglophone conflict, mechanisms, conflict transformation, and Cameroon.
How does the author evaluate the "Major National Dialogue"?
The author notes that while the dialogue was a foundation stone for subsequent measures, it failed to usher in the expected political changes and did not contribute to reducing the intensity of violence in the region.
What conclusions does the paper reach regarding the DDR program?
The author expresses skepticism, noting that despite the existence of transit centers, reintegration is largely a failure due to daily survival challenges, lack of psychosocial support, and the emergence of social issues among ex-combatants.
How does the report perceive the effectiveness of the Bilingualism commission?
The author argues that the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism is perceived by many as a "loud sounding gong with no actions," noting that its impact in the English-speaking regions remains minimal.
- Quote paper
- Enowsoum Konrad (Author), 2023, Anglophone Conflict in Cameroon. A Critique on Mechanisms Used towards Conflict Transformation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1403586
