At solution-driven project discussion: Panelists reiterate dialogue to address Anglophone crisis.

Participants during the exchanges comprised; researchers, poets, political activists, civil society leaders and peace advocates. 

They revisited the past, sharing the view that genuine dialogue among parties in the conflict is the best way to solve the problem.

One of the initiators of the project, Chantal Edie, said she and her partners are focused on seeing that lasting solutions are found to the crisis.

Edie who is a creative director is partnering with "Rights for Time network" and the University of Birmingham. Revisiting the past, Edie said, could help the country come out of the situation. 

"The aim is to propose a way out of the crisis,” she said, adding that “it was inspired by the manifesto of the late Chief Magistrate Ayah Paul Abine, a fervent campaigner for freedom and justice”.

She said it was drawn from an interview conducted in 2023 as part of the project. Edie stated that, since 2020, the Forest Creative Loft, has been documenting and engaging on the crisis in the North West and South West Regions since 2017.

She decried excesses that have been recorded in the crisis, resulting in massive displacements, trauma among others. Edie saluted the compassion shown displaced citizens from the North West and South West Regions, declaring that it is a demonstration of national compassion.

Revisiting archives 

On going back to history, Edie said they "want to look back into historical archives to situate the genesis of the Anglophone crisis. The project provides a platform for training and therapy sessions specifically designed for women and children who have lost loved ones in the inter-territorial war".

She also noted that there has been documentation on consequences of the war on education, mental health among others.

Speaking at the event, Edith Kahbang Walla, said the Anglophone problem should not be misconstrued as the "Cameroon problem". 

Kah Walla said she and others have been “preaching an end to the crisis since 2017. This conclave was very important because we saw diverse opinions from persons from all walks of life”. 

“We think that, if discussing like this is multiplied severally, incorporating the general Cameroon problem, there will be a solution to the crisis," Kah Walla stated.