Cardinal Tumi Makes Fresh Case For Federalism, Regrets Decades of Anglophone Marginalisation

Christian Cardinal Tumi, the emeritus Archbishop of Douala has again regretted longstanding attempts to assimilate Anglophones by a francophone majority in Cameroon.

Tumi says the assimilation process of Anglophones by francophones in Cameroon is now complete but federalism can turn the tides.

In an anecdote he recounted in the course of a conference in Douala Tuesday, August 6, 2019, Christian Cardinal Tumi laments how a French diplomat unknowingly revealed to him in Rome Italy that France is championing the process of assimilation of Anglophones by francophones in Cameroon.

He confessed that the skillful change of name from the Federal Republic of Cameroon to Republic of Cameroon is one of the hallmarks of the process of assimilation.

On how Anglophones in Cameroon can regain their identity and pursue a common future, Cardinal Tumi says “…federalism is what I know and that is what people fought for. Returning to federalism will enhance sustainable peace in Cameroon».

Quizzed if Anglophones after the killings of over one thousand people, burning of villages and destruction of property since 2016 in the North West and South West regions will still accept federalism, the Cardinal says it is left to the people to decide.

He regrets that President Paul Biya has for the past six months turned down a request for him to grant audience to the Cardinal to discuss issues of the Anglophone crisis.

To Cardinal Tumi, his age alone demands respect from the President of the Republic.

On whether the continuous delay by the government to grant authorisation for the holding of the Anglophone General Conference, the Cardinal said the AGC has for now not demanded the central government for an authorization.

He however mentioned that the willingness of AGC conveners to hold a meeting in Bamenda was not given a chance. Instead, administrative authorities in the city of Bamenda demanded them to organize the meeting in Douala.

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