Diaspora movements and the quest for self-determination in post-colonial Africa: The case of British Southern Cameroons (Ambazonia)

Abstract

This study examines the role of the Cameroonian anglophone diaspora in the Southern Cameroons quest for self-determination over time. Besides secondary research, in the form of extensive archival and desktop research, it is based on primary research in the form of participant observation as well as interviews with a wide range of role players and analysts. The analysis employs post- colonial, long-distance nationalism and deprivation theories. The study discovered that the involvement of the anglophone diaspora in the Southern Cameroons self-determination quest started in the 1950s among students from the Southern Cameroons based in Ibadan and London, and has been sustained until the present. The main drivers were the double standards of the British colonial government, the resultant underdevelopment of the anglophone regions, the flawed or incomplete decolonisation process, the francophone regime's centralisation of power and subsequent authoritarianism, human rights abuses by state security forces against anglophones, continued socio-economic marginalisation, the collective stereotyping suffered by anglophones in Cameroon, the central government’s dismissive response to the grievances of anglophones and a growing political consciousness in Southern Cameroons. The study revealed that the anglophone diaspora has played a vital role in the Southern Cameroonian struggle for independence, by means of awareness campaigns, legal initiatives, funding, humanitarian efforts, diplomacy, and conflict mediation. Tactics include the unilateral declaration of Ambazonian independence in 2017, establishing a government in exile, utilising social media for propaganda and other purposes, setting up an external television station, organising non-violent protests and marches, enforcing Operation Ghost Town, forming militia groups, and economic sabotage. Additionally, they have formed alliances with local separatist organisations and used female activism to draw attention to the liberation movement on a global scale. The diaspora movement also faces significant challenges, including limited military capabilities, limited financial support, and infighting within the government in exile. Other hurdles include the international nonrecognition of Ambazonia’s independence, an undemocratic culture within the diaspora movement and the government in exile, and excessive secrecy. Various organisations and role players also disagree about the best way to end the conflict, and issues of greed, exploitation, criminality and economic opportunism persist. Furthermore, the diaspora movement faces long- term structural problems of legitimacy and accountability typical of internal and external liberation movements in Africa, which should receive greater attention from researchers.