The decade-long anglophone crisis in Cameroon has taken a dramatic turn, with armed separatist factions now accused of exploiting the conflict for personal gain. As October 2026 marks ten years since the initial unrest, a high-ranking defense official has delivered a scathing critique of the armed groups, condemning their betrayal of the communities they claim to represent.

The shift from protest to predation

What began in October 2016 as a series of demonstrations by lawyers and teachers quickly escalated into a full-blown insurgency in the North-West and South-West regions. While separatist rhetoric was used to justify the violence, military analysts argue that the rebellion was far from spontaneous. Instead, they claim, the armed groups were meticulously organized, with years of planning, recruitment, and logistical preparation behind their operations.

The hierarchical structure, training camps, and coordinated attacks across distant zones suggest a deliberate strategy rather than grassroots uprising. This raises critical questions about the true motives behind the rebellion and the origins of the separatist leadership.

Liberation or exploitation? The evidence speaks

The separatist narrative of fighting for freedom and justice has been systematically dismantled by the realities on the ground. Rather than liberating communities, armed groups have imposed a reign of terror:

• Forced displacement of civilians, stripping families of their livelihoods and ancestral lands
• Systematic destruction of infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, crippling essential services
• Extortion and kidnappings for ransom, draining already vulnerable households
• Targeted killings of healthcare workers and educators, depriving populations of critical support
• Sexual violence and forced conscription, particularly targeting women and youth

Inside the separatist playbook: power and profit

Investigations reveal that while separatist leaders claim to fight for the people’s rights, their actions tell a different story. Many operate from safe havens abroad, where they maintain lavish lifestyles, secure citizenship, and educate their children in elite institutions—far removed from the chaos they unleash at home.

Financial records and testimonies point to a network of extortion, smuggling, and illicit trade that funds both the rebellion and the personal fortunes of its leaders. Meanwhile, the communities they purport to represent suffer in silence, with no recourse to justice or protection.

Can the deception survive another decade?

The tide appears to be turning against the separatist factions. Local leaders and civil society groups are increasingly speaking out, exposing the hypocrisy of those who claim to serve the people while enriching themselves. International pressure and stricter border controls have also hampered the rebels’ ability to sustain their operations.

As Cameroon approaches the 11th anniversary of the crisis, the question remains: will the separatists’ hollow promises finally collapse under the weight of their own contradictions? What is clear is that the people of the North-West and South-West have paid the highest price—and their resilience has not gone unnoticed.

By Maimouna Kaboré — Journalist