The old German colonial capital of Cameroon, Buea, was once more host to another history-making event. Celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the re-unification of Cameroon took place at the Independence Square in Buea on Thursday, February 20, 2014.
Though the event was celebrated in all ten regions in the country, celebration in Buea was very special because it witnessed the end of a cycle of activities and the presence of the President of the Republic, H.E. Paul Biya, top government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of the international organisations and Cameroonians of diverse cultural backgrounds drawn from the nooks and crannies of the country. President Biya and his wife Chantal arrived in Buea on Tuesday, February 18, and left on Saturday, February 22.
President Biya's Speech in Buea
After saluting the population, the president of the republic started his speech in English in the following words “At long last, here we are in Buea! Here we are in Buea to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our re-unification. As the English people say, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. In fact, after a long period of preparation, we are finally glad to be here in this historic town of Buea, the town of LEGENDARY HOSPITALITY. I am glad to be in Buea, the bedrock of our re-unification. History has not forgotten that Buea was the headquarters of West Cameroon. History has not forgotten that Buea was the capital of Southern Cameroons. And history has not forgotten that Buea was once the capital of German Cameroon. That is why I say that Buea is a historic town”.
This introductory part of his speech was received with applause especially for those who were hearing him speak in English for the first or after a very long time. After expressing his gladness about being in Buea again, he continued his speech in French.
This time, he outlined the number of achievements realised especially in the domains of education and health since the independence and re-unification of the country despite enormous challenges.
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Acknowledging Cultural Diversity
The President also acknowledged the cultural diversity of Cameroon and maintained that it is part of the country’s identity. He explained that the jubilee period with celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of Cameroon’s independence was launched three years ago.
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Reflections on Cameroon's Journey
The history of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in Cameroon, as well as the Church itself, “is a history of great fidelity but also a history filled with trials,” said Fr. Leopold Mfouakouet, SCJ, provincial superior. Twice, wars in Europe seriously disrupted the mission effort. “It is because of the efforts of those who served before me, and the many sacrifices of our missionaries, that the Province of Cameroon has come to be what it is today,” said Fr.
The blessing of the church was an intense celebration, filled with symbolism of both the Church and of the local African culture. He thanked the congregation for its work in helping to build the church in Cameroon.
“The excitement of the closing of the centenary was visible at the Scolasticate of Ngoya months before the event,” wrote Frater Anthony, an Indian SCJ seminarian at Ngoya.
The Anglophone Crisis and National Dialogue
Five years ago, Cameroon organized a major national dialogue to resolve the country’s Anglophone crisis - an armed conflict that killed hundreds, displaced thousands, involved sexual violence against women, and forced many children to leave school. The dialogue brought together thousands of Cameroonians to chart a path towards lasting peace.
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However, the lack of social cohesion, as well as inadequate inclusion and trust-building measures cast doubts on its outcomes. Key separatist leaders at home and abroad also boycotted discussions.
Dozens of resolutions were reached during the national dialogue, including the adoption of the special status for the Northwest and Southwest regions, the restoration of the house of chiefs, and rapid reintegration of ex-combatants into the society among others.
Since then, the Prime Minister of Cameroon Joseph Dion Ngute has led efforts and chaired different dialogue implementation meetings, such as the one held in Buea in 2023, to evaluate the progress of implementing the dialogue’s outcomes.
Challenges and Criticisms
Notwithstanding the hype, influential opposition leaders in Cameroon lament the lack of political will in resolving the crisis, labeling government claims that everything is under control as false and misleading. Many people in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon continue to live in fear, despite claims by Biya and his supporters that the situation was under control.
The granting of a special status to the two Anglophone regions, the creation of the house of chiefs, the establishment of a common law section at the National School of Magistracy, and the allocation of a budget for reconstruction are some measures that have been implemented and used to hype the dialogue process.
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Yet, the persistence of marginalization and the exclusion of meritorious individuals to fit into these structures in favor of Biya’s ruling party’s sympathizers have reinforced claims about the structural causes of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.
Furthermore, the decentralisation process in Cameroon is still far from being realised even though a commission was specifically created to discuss this issue during the dialogue process. The issue of federalism, which many civil society groups have advocated for as a solution to the conflict, was considered a taboo topic during the dialogue.
Arrest of Separatist Leader
Though not directly connected to the national dialogue, the arrest of an influential separatist leader, Mr. Ayaba Cho Lucas, in Norway just days before the fifth anniversary celebration of the national dialogue sends a strong message to extremists and inciters of violence. Cho’s arrest might create a space for moderate voices within the separatist movement to come forward and engage in a peaceful dialogue process.
| Event/Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| National Dialogue | Organized to resolve the Anglophone crisis, but faced challenges in inclusion and trust-building. |
| Special Status for Anglophone Regions | Granted to Northwest and Southwest regions, but criticized for marginalization and exclusion. |
| Arrest of Ayaba Cho Lucas | Influential separatist leader arrested in Norway, potentially opening space for moderate voices. |
US Congratulatory Message
On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Cameroon as you celebrate your fiftieth anniversary of independence on May 20. This is an opportunity to salute the people of Cameroon's many accomplishments.
The United States remains committed to working with the Cameroonian Government as it seeks to strengthen democracy, governance, and rule of law. The ties between our countries are also strengthened by our ongoing military and security cooperation. We commend Cameroon for its support of the UN Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, and for its vital role in addressing regional maritime security threats as part of the Economic Community for Central African States.
As the single largest investor in Cameroon, the United States values our economic partnership that has fostered investment and created new jobs and opportunities for both Cameroonians and Americans. Cameroon has warmly welcomed our Peace Corps volunteers for nearly forty-nine years.
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