At a critical moment in Cameroon’s political evolution, prominent human rights lawyer Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla has issued a stark warning to the country’s Anglophone community risks weakening its influence due to internal fragmentation.
Speaking from the headquarters of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) in Buea, Barrister Agbor Balla called for urgent coordination among Anglophone leaders as debates over potential constitutional reforms gather pace.
“A strategic weakness”
Cameroon is currently witnessing renewed discussions about possible changes to the structure of executive power, including the creation of a vice-presidential role. But according to Agbor Balla, the absence of a unified Anglophone position on such a key issue highlights a deeper structural problem. “At a time like this, not speaking with one voice is more than a concern, it is a strategic weakness,” he said.
For years, he argued, the burden of expressing Anglophone concerns has largely fallen on civil society actors, journalists, and a handful of political figures. While acknowledging their efforts, he stressed that this approach is no longer sufficient to shape national outcomes.
“What we lack is organization."
Rather than a lack of leadership or legitimacy, Agbor Balla pointed to the absence of a coordinated structure capable of acting as a unified pressure group.
“Without organization, there is no leverage,” he said, warning that fragmented voices risk being overlooked in national decision-making processes.
He called for a broad coalition that cuts across political and institutional divides, urging collaboration among elected officials, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and civil society.
A call beyond party lines
The appeal, he emphasized, is not tied to any political party. Instead, it is directed at Anglophones across the political spectrum from ruling party members to opposition figures. Those he identified as key stakeholders include members of Parliament, regional and municipal officials, traditional leaders and the House of Chiefs, government ministers of Anglophone origin, and religious authorities, academics, and youth representatives. “Legitimacy without coordination produces silence,” he noted.
Vice presidency debate exposes divisions
The ongoing debate over a potential vice presidency, one of the most significant institutional proposals in recent years, has further exposed the lack of a collective stance. Observers say such a reform could reshape power dynamics at the highest level of government. Yet, no clear or unified Anglophone position has emerged. “If this moment cannot bring convergence, then when will?” Agbor Balla asked.
Risks of continued fragmentation
According to the CHRDA president, the consequences of disunity are already evident. Without a coordinated approach, national priorities may be set without meaningful Anglophone input, advocacy efforts risk remaining reactive rather than strategic, and opportunities for inclusion could be missed. “In simple terms,” he said, “without unity, there is no impact.”
From “noise” to influence
Barrister Agbor Balla framed his message not as a call for confrontation but for organization, urging leaders to convene, consult, and define shared positions on key national issues. “This is about moving from isolated voices to collective influence,” he said.
He added that influence in modern political systems depends less on volume and more on clarity, structure, and unity.
A defining moment
As Cameroon navigates potential constitutional changes, the question remains whether Anglophone actors can overcome divisions to present a unified front.
For Nkongho Feix Agbor Balla, the stakes are clear. “Awareness is growing, but awareness alone is not enough,” he said. “The time has come to move from silence to strategy.”
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