GetMeThere237

𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻, 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆

Cameroon, rich in cultural diversity, historical complexity and promising potential, has long been a beacon of African resilience. However, we now find ourselves confined in an identity trap that has its roots deeply embedded in our colonial past.

The legacy of colonialism has not only shaped the political landscape of our country but has also fostered divisions among our people that continue to manifest in various forms today. In this article we explore the mechanisms through which colonial powers divided Cameroon for their own interests and we discuss how these divisions have evolved into modern identity politics, ultimately hindering national unity and progress.

=> 𝗧𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲?!

Our colonial history is a textbook example of how foreign powers manipulate, divide, and conquer. Our country was passed on like a token from one colonizer to another. First, the Germans and then after WW1, the French and British carved out Cameroon into two entities, one under French rule and the other under British administration.

This arbitrary division planted the seeds of discord. Cameroon was divided into 2 main regions with different official languages, educational systems, legal frameworks, and even cultural tendencies. The British-administered Southern Cameroons adopted the Anglo-Saxon common law system, while the French-speaking majority used the French legal code. These divisions weren't just geographic, they infiltrated every aspect of Cameroonian life, leaving a deep legacy of linguistic and cultural separation.
But it wasn’t enough to divide us geographically.

Colonial rulers made it a point to exploit ethnic differences, turning tribes and communities against one another. They empowered certain groups, granting them administrative roles and economic benefits, while marginalizing others, thereby creating hierarchies and sowing resentment. The colonial strategy was simple; keep the people divided, so they cannot unite and resist.

Fast forward to post-independence Cameroon, and we see the remnants of these divisive strategies still at play. The linguistic division has morphed into a full-blown Anglophone-Francophone conflict that has plagued our country for decades. The scars of colonialism run deep, and the identity trap continues to be exploited by modern power structures, ensuring that unity remains an elusive dream.

=> 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺?!

As Cameroonian youths, we are living through an era where identity politics dominate public discourse. The system designed by colonial powers to divide us has been replaced by a more insidious form of divisiveness; identity politics, based on victimhood and exclusion. In this age, people are often encouraged to define themselves by how oppressed they are. Whether by gender, ethnicity, or region, this narrative creates endless divisions within our society.

What we see today is a fragmentation of our collective identity as Cameroonians. Instead of working towards common goals, we have become entrenched in divisive narratives that pit one group against another.

The Anglophone crisis is a stark reminder of how deep these divisions have become. Rather than addressing the issues that affect all Cameroonians, we remain stuck in an endless cycle of victimhood and infighting. And while we remain distracted by our differences, the real power structures, those who benefit from our division, go unchallenged.

Colonialism may have physically left our shores, but its psychological and social effects remain deeply embedded. Just as the colonial masters once did, today's political and economic elites benefit from keeping us divided. By focusing on identity politics rather than addressing core societal problems like unemployment, corruption, poor governance, we are ensuring that the same power dynamics that kept us oppressed during the colonial era remain intact today.

It’s a phenomenon I’ve seen time and time again. From my personal experience working on social initiatives, I've witnessed firsthand how difficult it is to build projects that span across these divides. There are instances where conversations, which should focus on progress and mutual goals, devolve into debates about identity, whether tribal, regional, or linguistic. This constant pulling back into our silos of identity keeps us from addressing the deeper issues that affect all of us.

=> 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲 𝗗𝗼?!

The future of our country indeed rests on the shoulders of our youth. As the generation most affected by the current socio-political landscape, we must recognize that our greatest power lies not in our differences but in our shared humanity, history, and aspirations. There are several ways we can break free from this identity trap and chart a new course for our nation.

-𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗪𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. We must reject this divisive narrative that encourages us to see each other as victims or oppressors. Our identity as Cameroonians must come first. The Anglophone-Francophone divide, tribalism, and regionalism must give way to a sense of national pride and collective purpose.

-𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼, 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗢𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱. The more we focus on our divisions, the more we perpetuate the cycle of victimhood. Instead, let’s become solution-oriented. We must hold our leaders accountable and push for policies that address the root causes of our problems, such as unemployment, poor infrastructure, corruption, and lack of opportunities for young people.

-𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Economic disparity remains one of the biggest challenges for us. To break free, we need to empower ourselves economically. This means supporting local businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and ensuring that the economic policies of our government create opportunities for everyone, not just a select few.

-𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. In a world increasingly driven by technology, we must harness its power to create new opportunities for ourselves and future generations. By embracing digital tools and innovation, we can bridge geographical and social divides, create jobs, and build an inclusive economy that benefits all Cameroonians.

=> 𝗦𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆?!

The divisions that colonialism created were designed to weaken us and ensure that we remain easy to control. Today, identity politics has taken on a similar role, trapping us in endless cycles of conflict and distraction. But as the youth of this great nation, we have the power to reclaim our identity, not as Francophones or Anglophones, not as members of this or that tribe, but as Cameroonians with a shared future.

If we embrace unity over division, push for inclusive governance, and focus on building an economically empowered and educated society, we can break free from this identity trap and create a future where our children will not be burdened by the same divisions that have plagued us for decades. The road ahead will not be easy, but if we stand together, no challenge will be insurmountable. It’s time to rise, Cameroonian youth, divided by design, but destined for unity.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥: This article is not intended in any way to mobilize, incite, or educate youths to carry out any form of protest, demonstration, or disruptive action. Its purpose is solely to inspire constructive dialogue and encourage positive, lawful engagement in the development and progress of our country. The views I've expressed are meant to foster personal growth, community building, and responsible leadership within the boundaries of the law, and are in no way a call for any form of civil unrest or unlawful activities.