The relationship between Anglophones’ attitudes towards the current form of state in Cameroon, support for independence, and support for a federation: an intergroup threat approach

ABSTRACT

Since 2016, Cameroon has been experiencing what is perceived as the deadliest conflict in its history over the marginalization and Francophonization of Anglophones and a change in the form of state. This study adopts an intergroup threat approach to examine Anglophones’ attitudes towards the current form of state in Cameroon, and the extent to which it is related to support for independence and support for a federation. In a sample of 304 Anglophone Cameroonians, results show that Anglophones perceive the current form of state as a threat, and the perception of threat was found to be associated with negative/unfavorable attitudes towards the current form of state. In addition, this study finds that attitudes towards the current form of state in Cameroon is positively related to support for a federation but negatively related to support for independence. Implications and recommendations for further research are discussed as well.

KEYWORDS:

• Independence
• federation
• perceived threat
• Cameroon
• Anglophone conflict

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elvis Nshom

Elvis Nshom (PhD, University of Jyväskylä, Finland) is Assistant Professor of Communication with a focus on Peace and Conflict Studies in the Department of Communication, California State University, San Marcos, USA.

Immaculate Mkong

Immaculate Mkong (MA, ASMAC, University of Yaoundé II SOA) is a PhD Candidate, Global Studies (Peace and Security in Africa), IPSS - Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia joint program with GESI-Leipzig University, Germany

Pascal Doh

Pascal Doh (PhD, University of Tampere, Finland) is an adjunct professor in Education (Higher Education) of the Department of Education in the University of Turku and a coordinator of the Diaspora Academic Network for Africa, Finland.

Kwoh Elonge

Kwoh Elonge is a PhD student in the in the University of Buea, Cameroon.

Isidore Agha

Isidore Agha (PhD, Uludağ University) is a post doctoral researcher at Uludağ University researching issues around Political Science, International Relations, Peace, Conflict, Development, Elections and Democracy.