Cameroon celebrated its national day on May 20, 2024. This has been built since the referendum of May 20, 1972 around the unitary state, a consequence of the abandonment of the federal state formerly formed by French-speaking Eastern Cameroon and English-speaking West Cameroon.
However, 52 years later, national unity remains far from being achieved, as political scientist Mathias Eric Owona Nguini, vice-rector at the University of Yaoundé I, recalls. “National unity is best experienced in a stabilised and calm context rather than in a context where there are a certain number of tensions, in particular those which can take the form of armed violence “, analyzes the academic, guest of the STV TV channel, May 16, 2024.
Since 2017, Cameroon has been facing a violent challenge to its unitary system through a separatist conflict raging in the English-speaking regions of the North-West and South-West. In these regions, certain movements are calling for a return to federalism, while others want to impose pure and simple secession through the creation of a new state: Ambazonia. Clashes between the army and small separatist groups have already left more than 6,000 dead according to international organizations.
It is therefore no surprise that the theme of the 52nd national holiday chosen by the Head of State, Paul Biya, evokes peace. This theme is, in fact, “Army and nation: together for a united, peaceful and prosperous Cameroon”. For Professor Owona Nguini, “the theme is entirely relevant, precisely because if the basis of stability remains, we still see with these tumultuous areas that there are tensions which can possibly destabilize the entire country. And in these tumultuous areas, we see what we do not have to do, if we want a peaceful country.”
And the independence aspirations of the two English-speaking regions of the country do not seem to be the only threats to national unity. Cameroon is preparing to experience several elections in 2025, including legislative and municipal elections and the presidential election. For some observers, this is an important turning point as the country has been led since 1982 by President Paul Biya, who celebrated his 91st birthday February 13, 2024.
According to Mathias Eric Owona Nguini, the risk of post-election destabilisation is very present. “This political mobilization, which often takes, to a certain extent, a form of agitation, can carry risks for the country. But we’re not there yet. The 2025 electoral deadlines are important, and this can only cause temperatures to rise. Once the context becomes clearer, we will see if this is simply the normal drama of an election year, or if there are risks that the security and stability of the country will be affected” he comments. The political scientist recognizes that “risks are always possible”, because under African skies, “electoral events are tests of political dramatization which can generate violence”. So he hopes “that it doesn’t come to that”.
Ludovic Amara