Cameroon:The Resurgence of Anglophone Intellectualism: A Historical Perspective

By Peter Mbile

*Intro* 

The assertion that " _Anglophone Intellectualism seems to have been beaten by the (Anglophone) Crisis_ " holds a degree of truth. However, this truth is nuanced and can be examined from various perspectives. Given the historical roots of the current crisis, this analysis will approach the subject through a historical lens, tracing the evolution of Anglophone intellectualism in Cameroon and its intersection with politics, ambition, and betrayal.

 *The Birth of Anglophone Intellectualism* 

Anglophone intellectualism in Cameroon has deep political origins. It was partly responsible for the early waves of political activism that began in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1944 with the formation of the Cameroon Youth League (CYL). This movement later evolved into a political party that allied with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Convention of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). As members of this first intellectual wave were absorbed into politics, a second wave emerged in the 1950s.

This new intellectual movement coalesced around the Cameroon Society (CS), led by figures like Bernard Fonlon and Nzo Ekangaki, who aligned with the Kamerun National Democratic Party (KNDP) of John Foncha. However, this movement was far from monolithic. While it served as a think tank for the KNDP and played a role in leading Southern Cameroons into reunification with French Cameroon, it was also influenced by diverse ideological currents. Some members were sympathetic to the independence movements of figures like Ndeh Ntumazah and the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC) led by Ruben Um Nyobé. This ideological fragmentation reflected the deeply divisive nature of Southern Cameroonian politics at the time.

 *Intellectualism in the Post-Reunification Era* 

Following reunification, many core members of Anglophone intellectual circles transitioned into the civil service, diplomacy, and other influential sectors as rewards for their counsel—counsel that some contemporaries regarded as self-serving and even treacherous. In today’s parlance, their actions could be described as "Atalaku"—a term denoting flattery for personal gain.

Under President Paul Biya’s regime, these intellectual elites, who had once reaped substantial benefits, became the first to feel disillusioned. Many were linked to the Cameroon Anglophone Movement (CAM I & II) and came to the painful realization that Anglophones had been deceived—robbed of a state and left with nothing. The seeds of discontent that had been sown over decades germinated into what is now known as the Anglophone Crisis. Many of these intellectuals, having grown wealthy from their past political maneuvers, chose silence, prioritizing their fortunes over the collective fate of their people.

 *The Crisis and the Decline of Intellectual Engagement* 

As the crisis deepened, it was inevitable that the intellectual class—many of whom had contributed, directly or indirectly, to the conditions that led to the crisis—would fade into obscurity. The crisis exposed the fractures within Anglophone intellectualism, revealing its historical entanglement with political ambition, opportunism, and betrayal. However, while the decline of one generation of intellectuals may seem like the end, history teaches us that intellectualism, much like society itself, is cyclical.

 *The Rebirth of Anglophone Intellectualism* 

Despite the current turmoil, a new generation of Anglophone intellectuals will rise. This intellectual resurgence will be rooted in a genuine understanding of what it means to be an Anglophone in Cameroon—one that embraces the Anglo-Saxon tradition of governance, justice, and democracy, yet remains authentically African. This intellectual movement will be defined by a deep commitment to the English language, the Afro-Anglo-Saxon way of being, and a conscious effort to move beyond the ambiguities of colonial Southern Cameroons.

Unlike the past, this new intellectualism will not attempt to build a fragile identity from the artificial construct left behind by colonial rule. Instead, it will forge a more resilient, authentic, and powerful intellectual tradition—one that embraces the broader Cameroonian project of forging a cohesive nation out of the heterogeneous African communities forced together in Berlin in 1884–85.

 *My Conclusion* 

The Anglophone Crisis may have diminished the old guard of intellectualism, but it has not extinguished the spirit of critical thought and engagement. A new wave of thinkers will emerge—more resilient, more authentic, and more determined to redefine Anglophone intellectualism in Cameroon. This rebirth will mark a turning point, not just for Anglophones, but for the nation as a whole, as it grapples with its complex history and strives for a more inclusive and just future.

*The author is an Environmental Management Specialist and commentator on Society and Politics. He is based in Yaounde, Cameroon and holds a PhD in Forest Economics and Management. The views expressed are his