Why did some Anglophone separatists declare the state of Ambazonia in 2017?

In 2017, some Anglophone separatist leaders declared the independence of the state of Ambazonia as a culmination of long-standing tensions in Cameroon.

The movement was driven by the Anglophone community's protests against perceived marginalization by the Francophone-dominated central government. These grievances intensified in October 2016, when residents began staging strikes and demonstrations. While some protesters sought a return to a federal model of government—which they believed would ensure a more equitable power-sharing arrangement between the Anglophone and Francophone populations—others advocated for full secession from the country.12

Following the government's initial use of repressive measures to address the unrest, the situation escalated into frequent skirmishes between government forces and separatists. On October 1, 2017, separatist leaders symbolically declared the independence of the two English-speaking regions as Ambazonia. The ensuing conflict has led to significant displacement and ongoing violence, as subsequent government efforts to provide autonomy through a special status designation have been criticized for failing to address the community's core concerns.12