The Nature of Constitutions and the ‘Anglophone Conflict’ in Cameroon

Abstract

This paper addresses the domestic issues responsible for the outbreak of the ‘Anglophone conflict’ in Cameroon. It also explores pathways for resolving the conflict. Using a qualitative approach, the paper shows that constitutions of a non-self-enforcing nature form the basis of Anglophone unrest in Cameroon, and that state repression of record intensity and scale triggered the conflict. The paper argues that self-enforcing constitutions are more likely to mitigate breakaway attempts affecting over 30 African countries than constitutions that ignore the historical and socio-cultural specificities of the various social components of African states.