by Nguh Nwei Asanga Fon and Emmanuel Achiri
Abstract
The crisis in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon that began as a protest by teachers and lawyers trade unions in late 2016 is becoming an intractable conflict which if not addressed risks destabilizing the entire Central African sub-region. Using Zartman’s “ripeness” as a theoretical premise, this paper analyses the evolution of the conflict and proposes dual track diplomacy as a possible solution to break the present deadlock. Given the difficulties for both sides to escalate their way to victory and the growing, unsustainable cost of a prolonged confrontation, the present situation shows significant traces of a mutually hurting stalemate that we propose can be exploited by actors interested in resolution of the conflict. The need for and possible policy implications of pursuing a dual track diplomatic approach is explored here. It is obvious that dual track diplomacy can contribute greatly to bringing a lasting solution to the Anglophone crisis.
Nguh Nwei Asanga Fon and Emmanuel Achiri are both pursuing their doctorates at Eastern Mediterranean University and are coordinator and research consultant (respectively) for Stop the War in Cameroon Coalition initiative.