Agents of Deception: Why the LRC Elevates Unpopular Voices in the Anglophone Crisis

Beyond official political appointments, multiple groups claiming to represent Anglophone interests have emerged over time. Supporters of Ambazonian leadership structures often argue that some of these groups appear most often at politically sensitive moments, complicating already fragmented representation.

By Timothy Enongene
Guest Editor-in-Chief, Independentistnews

YAOUNDÉ February 4, 2026 – As Cameroon’s political crisis deepens and conflict in the Northwest and Southwest regions remains unresolved, debates over representation have again moved to the center of national and international attention. Critics of the government in Yaoundé argue that recent political strategies rely increasingly on elevating select Anglophone figures to project inclusion while avoiding engagement with actors demanding structural political change.

Supporters of Ambazonian self-determination view this approach as an attempt to shape international perception by presenting government-aligned voices as representative of wider regional sentiment, thereby reducing pressure for deeper political dialogue.

The Politics of Language: Competing Narratives

Language itself has become a contested arena. Official discourse frequently frames the Anglophone crisis through terms associated with insecurity and disorder, while supporters of Southern Cameroons’ political claims increasingly use language emphasizing community resilience and political identity.

For critics of the government, labels such as “Ground Zero” reduce communities affected by conflict to zones of destruction rather than acknowledging their social and political agency. In contrast, supporters of self-determination emphasize community survival and local institution-building despite years of instability. This battle over terminology reflects broader disagreements about how the conflict should be understood internationally.

Representation and Its Discontents

One longstanding government strategy has been the appointment of Anglophone officials to high-ranking national positions. Authorities present these appointments as evidence of national inclusion and unity.

Critics, however, argue that such appointments do not necessarily translate into political legitimacy within conflict-affected communities. Figures occupying prominent government positions often face accusations of being disconnected from local grievances, particularly when government security operations are perceived as heavy-handed.

Similarly, events such as the 2019 Major National Dialogue were welcomed by some as steps toward reconciliation, yet dismissed by others who felt key actors and communities were insufficiently represented in the process.

Fragmentation and Competing Voices

Beyond official political appointments, multiple groups claiming to represent Anglophone interests have emerged over time. Supporters of Ambazonian leadership structures often argue that some of these groups appear most often at politically sensitive moments, complicating already fragmented representation.

Whether organically formed or politically encouraged, the multiplication of voices has had the practical effect of making mediation efforts more difficult, as international actors struggle to identify credible negotiating counterparts.

Why Representation Matters Internationally

For the Yaoundé government, demonstrating Anglophone participation within national institutions strengthens its argument that the crisis is internal and manageable without external intervention. This positioning has, at times, complicated attempts by international mediators—including past initiatives involving Switzerland and Canada—to advance neutral dialogue frameworks.

For supporters of Southern Cameroons’ restoration, however, these developments reinforce perceptions that meaningful political negotiations remain elusive.

Civil Resistance and Political Expression

In response, segments of the population in conflict-affected areas periodically observe voluntary stay-at-home periods or boycotts around politically symbolic dates. Supporters view these actions as expressions of political dissatisfaction, while critics warn of economic consequences for vulnerable communities reliant on daily commerce.

The debate highlights a difficult balance between political expression and humanitarian concerns within regions already burdened by conflict.

Conclusion: Beyond Competing Narratives

Ultimately, the struggle over representation reflects deeper unresolved questions about governance, political inclusion, and the future relationship between Southern Cameroons and the central government.

As long as competing narratives persist and credible negotiation frameworks remain absent, political appointments and symbolic gestures are unlikely to resolve underlying tensions.

The challenge ahead lies not in managing perceptions but in creating pathways toward dialogue capable of restoring trust, reducing violence, and offering a sustainable political future for communities on all sides of the crisis.

Until then, debates over who truly speaks for the Anglophone regions will continue to shape both domestic politics and international engagement with the conflict.

Timothy Enongene
Guest Editor-in-Chief, Independentistnews