Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I often feel very uncomfortable with the diction chosen by theindependentistnews.com: Anglophones, North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, crisis in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. I believe that such terminology plays in the enemy’s interest.
Why not instead speak plainly of war or conflict, and refer to the territory as Southern Cameroons, also known as Ambazonia, and to the people as Southern Cameroonians?
The continued use of the language promoted by Yaoundé tends to suggest that we are an integral part of La République du Cameroun. At the same time, it downplays the intensity of what is in reality an all-out, hot war that has devastated communities and displaced thousands of our people.
Words matter in conflicts of this nature. Terminology shapes perception. When the struggle is described merely as a “crisis in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon,” the political and historical reality of the conflict risks being diluted.
It is also important to remember that the crisis stage of this war was in 2016. What followed was an escalation into a broader armed conflict whose consequences continue to unfold today.
For these reasons, I respectfully suggest that the language used in reporting and commentary be reconsidered so that it reflects both the historical identity of the territory and the seriousness of the conflict.
Respectfully,
A Reader
Response to the Letter from the Ambazonian Patriot
Dear Reader,
Thank you for your thoughtful letter and for raising an issue that many Southern Cameroonians feel strongly about. Your concern regarding terminology is both understandable and appreciated. Language matters deeply in conflicts of sovereignty, and the words used to describe our homeland, our people, and the realities on the ground inevitably shape how the world perceives the struggle.
You are correct that many Ambazonians prefer terms such as Southern Cameroons, also widely known today as Ambazonia, and to refer to the people as Southern Cameroonians. Likewise, many observers recognize that what began with peaceful protests in 2016 evolved into a much broader armed conflict affecting communities across the territory.
At the same time, The Independentistnews sometimes employs terminology that is widely recognized in international reporting—such as references to the North West and South West regions—because these terms are commonly used in diplomatic, humanitarian, and media circles worldwide. The intention is not to diminish the historical identity of Southern Cameroons or suggest acceptance of the political framework imposed by La République du Cameroun, but rather to ensure that international readers immediately understand the geographic context being discussed.
Where possible, we strive to provide clarity by also referencing Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia and by highlighting the reality of the conflict across its counties and communities—from Fako and Meme to Mezam, Manyu, and Ndian, and throughout the territory that many Ambazonians recognize as comprising 13 Counties and 61 Local Government Areas.
Your point about the importance of accurate and dignified terminology is well taken, and feedback such as yours helps ensure that our reporting continues to evolve in a way that respects both historical identity and international clarity.
We thank you for engaging with the publication and for contributing to the ongoing conversation about how best to communicate the realities facing Southern Cameroons/Ambazonia.
Sincerely,
The Editorial Board
The Independentistnews
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