Column

Anglophone crisis beyond ordinary dialogue.

by Guest writer
16 Sep 2026 14:56
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Dr David Makongo: Prominent international business lawyer

After assessing the devastating loss of human lives and property already suffered in the North West and South West Regions; after speaking directly with people who have paid the heaviest price- losing their loved ones, homes, livelihoods and even their dignity, and after conducting my own fact-finding mission into the present realities of the conflict on the ground, I can state one conclusion clearly and without fear of contradiction: This crisis has gone far beyond what vague promises of “dialogue” can resolve. The time has come for genuine, structured and result-oriented negotiations.

Those negotiations must be inclusive. They must involve representatives of all relevant armed groups, credible movement leaders, traditional and community stakeholders, victims, civil society, religious leaders and other persons with genuine influence on the ground.

They must also involve the local administrative authorities, including Divisional Officers, DOs; Senior Divisional Officers, SDOs, and the Governors of the North West and South West Regions.

This is because they exercise authority over local security, administration and other dynamics that directly affect the situation on Ground Zero.

Negotiations must be conducted without intimidation, exclusion or predetermined conclusions. They must address the root causes of the conflict, guarantee the safety of participants, protect civilians and establish a verifiable roadmap toward a just and lasting settlement.

Cameroon does not need another ceremonial dialogue whose recommendations are announced and forgotten. It needs courageous negotiations capable of ending the bloodshed, restoring dignity and securing a future for the people of the North West and South West Regions.

Every additional delay will be measured in more deaths, more displacement, more destruction and another generation whose future is stolen. The time for genuine negotiations is now.

*Dr David Makongo is a prominent international business lawyer, senior mining negotiator, & philanthropist working across Africa

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3909 of Monday September 14, 2026