Biya swiftly resolves Fecafoot–Minsep crisis, ignores Anglophone Crisis

By Daniel D.

The barely one-month crisis between the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP) has been resolved, thanks to the “high instructions” of President Paul Biya.

The conflict, which centered around the appointment of the men’s national football team coaching staff, had jeopardized not only Cameroon’s image as a respected football nation, but also the upcoming World Cup qualifier game against Cape Verde.

But it was rapidly resolved on Thursday, after reaching a climax, thanks to the direct intervention of President Paul Biya.

However, this quick resolution has drawn significant criticism, highlighting the government’s contrasting approach to the protracted Anglophone Crisis in the North West and South West regions.

The crisis, which started in 2016, continues to wreak havoc on the population and the local economy of these two Regions.

According to human rights organizations, the conflict has caused more than 6,000 deaths and displaced over a million people, with thousands of schools shutdown.

The measures taken by the government to resolve the recent football crisis could have been adopted to thwart the Anglophone Crisis at its earlier stage.

In the sports crisis, MINSEP appointed technical staff, headed by Belgian Coach Marc Brys to manage the Indomitable Lions but FECAFOOT disputed the appointments over statutory claims and appointed a different team.

The crisis dragged on for over two weeks but was finally settled on Thursday, May 30, after President Paul Biya instructed both parties to quickly agree to save the country’s image.

The result was an immediate end to the crisis, with FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o apologizing to MINSEP.

Conversely, the government’s response to the Anglophone Crisis has been marked by a lack of dialogue and a heavy-handed approach.

In 2016, instead of negotiating with the Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, which represented the aspirations of the disgruntled English-speaking population, the government arrested and detained its leaders, exacerbating tensions.

This approach has only fueled the conflict, which now enters its eighth year with no end in sight.

What the Anglophone people asked for was greater autonomy, a return to a federal system of government, and the redeployment of French-speaking judges and teachers serving in the North West and South West.

Instead, they were beaten, maimed, and killed. Historians like Prof Julius Ngoh argue that separatists exploited the government’s chaotic approach in resolving the crisis and began asking for independence through armed struggle.

While thousands have been killed, some have become refugees, and other are spending their lives in jail.

Several international bodies have proposed measures to genuinely resolve the crisis, but the government of President Paul Biya appears to be disinterested.

Looking at how the government has speedily put the sports crisis to rest, one may be tempted to say it wants the Anglophone Crisis to continue.

When the presidency intervened and the sports crisis was resolved with both parties apologizing, human rights lawyer Agbor Balla said, “Let us give peace a chance.” I hope we follow suit in the NW and SW regions.”

The Anglophone Crisis needs a genuine solution, but according to a political scientist, Ako John Ako, the government is unwilling to end the bloodshed.

It is hoped that the interest the government demonstrated when the country’s football was in jeopardy will also be manifested in what is happening in the two English-speaking regions.

©Mimi Mefo Info