With the recent action by Ambazonian separatist gunmen to seize national identity (ID) cards from citizens, the continuous Anglophone issue in Cameroon has taken yet another frightening turn. Although this action has been greeted with strong criticism on the ground, unsurprisingly high support has come from Cameroonians living comfortably in the diaspora.
While those living in the conflict area struggle with the practical effects of this approach, some activists living elsewhere have fervently supported the action. Their backing draws attention to a disturbing gap between the reality experienced by people on the ground and the ideological fervour of those watching from afar.
The ID Card Crisis: A Dangerous Game
The separatist policy, which came into effect in late March 2025, aims to further delegitimize the Cameroonian state’s presence in the English-speaking regions. Reportedly starting to seize national ID cards, fighters in Bui, Fako, Meme, and Mezam claim that these records represent the ongoing persecution of Anglophone Cameroonians.
In actual terms, though, this approach makes citizens’ conditions even more unstable. Movement, banking access, medical treatment, and legal identification all depend on national ID cards. Their seizure does not undermine the Cameroonian administration as much as it compromises the daily existence of common people already bearing the effects of an ongoing conflict.
Diaspora Support: A handy distance from reality
Among the most ardent proponents of this extreme action is Belgium-based activist Shey Kaavi Wo Meliim, who used social media to defend the action:
“We must be drastic to make sure the centre can no longer hold. We will not be identified by Cameroun. I stand with the soldiers on this,” he wrote.
Likewise, Texas-based activist Tapang Ivo Tanku announced:
“Cameroun NATIONAL ID cards have been officially banned in neighboring Ambazonia as of yesterday.”
These remarks highlight a clear paradox: these activists demand ever more harsh policies in the name of resistance, but they do it from the security of their overseas homes, far from the misery these policies cause.
Who Actually Suffers?
From an ideological position, the seizure of ID cards seems like a strong declaration of defiance; nevertheless, for people living in war areas of Cameroon, it marks catastrophe. Civilians without identification run out of free will, access to healthcare, or even proof of their legal existence. Furthermore, already under great pressures, government troops might see this tactic as a provocation, which would result in more crackdowns and violent escalations.
Although diaspora activists support such policies, they do not have the same risks as those of the people living in Cameroon who have to negotiate the daily reality of insecurity, military operations, and financial difficulty. This clear discrepancy begs a significant ethical issue: should those who do not directly suffer from a conflict be the ones advocating extreme responses?
The Long Term Effects
Beginning in 2017, the Anglophone crisis has killed thousands of lives and caused many more to be displaced. Those in the diaspora should be more helpful in promoting dialogue and seeking solutions that give civilian well-being first priority than in supporting policies that cause greater suffering. Demand for laws that reinforce misery simply helps to widen the gulf and prolong the suffering of common Cameroonians.
It is imperative to challenge the intentions and obligations of individuals who, from a distance, support activities that make life even more intolerable for people still caught in the conflict as the crisis drags on. Real patriotism and fight for freedom should aim to lessen rather than aggravate misery.
