What caused the Anglophone protests in Cameroon in 2016?

The 2016 protests in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon were primarily driven by long-standing tensions and the community's grievances regarding their perceived marginalization by the Francophone-dominated central government.12

In October 2016, the Anglophone community in the southwest staged a series of strikes and demonstrations to voice these concerns. The unrest reflected a desire among many residents for a return to the federal model of government that existed following independence, which they believed would allow for a more equitable sharing of power between the Anglophone and Francophone populations. While some protesters sought this federalist approach, others advocated for full secession from Cameroon.12

The government initially responded to the demonstrations with repressive measures, later attempting conciliatory gestures that failed to satisfy the protesters' demands. This cycle of unrest eventually escalated into broader conflict and the emergence of separatist movements.12