These parts of Cameroon are populated by English speakers although the majority of Cameroonians are Francophone. When French-controlled Cameroon gained independence in 1960, British-controlled Cameroon united with the other half after a referendum in 1961. But while those in the northernmost parts of British Cameroon wanted to join Nigeria, Cameroon’s modern-day border-neighbour, those in the south of British Cameroon voted overwhelmingly to join French-Cameroon. In 2018, videos and photos of government forces torturing and burning building in Bamenda made their way to the internet. The BBC reported that the Cameroonian government had tried to prevent the world from knowing about the brutalities.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 12, 2020 15:22 UTC