The Anglophone That Is Not A Tribe — Nor A Nation, Yet Politically Means Ambazonia

The identity “Anglophone” in Cameroon has travelled a long and winding road. It has been misunderstood, diluted, manipulated, and weaponised. Yet the truth remains embarrassingly simple: politically, the term “Anglophone” refers to a person from the former British Southern Cameroons, today widely recognised as Ambazonia. It does not denote a tribe, nor a clan, nor a cultural group. It is not an ethnicity, nor a nation in the classical sense. Rather, it is a political and historical identity born from colonial inheritance and sustained by contemporary injustice.

But rather than confront this reality with clarity, public discourse often treats “Anglophone” like a personality category, something halfway between a birth sign and a speaking disorder. This confusion is made worse by the emergence of three unofficial yet widely acknowledged categories of Anglophones: the “Super Anglophones,” the “Medium Anglophones,” and the “Lesser Anglophones.” Together, they form a hierarchy that would be comical if it were not so consequential.

Who Is an Anglophone Amongst Anglophones?

The question of who qualifies as an Anglophone is one that should be straightforward, but in Cameroon it has become a philosophical riddle. Some believe an Anglophone is anyone who speaks English. Others insist it is anyone who attended an Anglo-Saxon school. And still others claim it is anyone who says “I di go market” with confidence.

Yet none of these definitions withstand scrutiny.

The only meaningful definition, historically, politically, and legally, is this: an Anglophone is a person whose roots lie within the former British Southern Cameroons . The people of Ambazonia inherited a British colonial system, British administrative traditions, an Anglo-Saxon educational model, and a distinct political trajectory. This is what binds them together, not Pidgin English or the ability to recite GCE timetables.

In other words, “Anglophone” refers not to linguistic preference but to geopolitical origin. Everything else is theatre.

Who Is Best Placed to Make Decisions for Anglophones?

In a rational world, decisions for the people of Ambazonia would be made by legitimate representatives chosen collectively by the community. But in our reality, legitimacy is often self-awarded. This brings us to the first classification: the Super Anglophones.

Super Anglophones are those who believe that destiny has appointed them, personally, to speak for all of Ambazonia. They issue communiqués, decree positions, speak with thunderous authority, and treat dissent like betrayal. Their confidence is admirable. Their self-appointment is breathtaking.

Then there are the Medium Anglophones, the undecided middle class of the struggle. They want influence but fear responsibility. They criticise the Super Anglophones for arrogance and the Lesser Anglophones for ignorance. They seek leadership, but only if it comes without risk.

Finally, the Lesser Anglophones, the majority. These are the villagers, traders, teachers, farmers, motorbike riders, displaced families, and communities whose lives bear the brunt of political decisions. They suffer the violence, rebuild their homes, bury their children, and flee when necessary. Yet when decisions about their future are made, they are treated as spectators in a conversation that directly concerns them.

Who, then, is best placed to make decisions for Anglophones?

The collective voice of the people of Ambazonia themselves, not a self-appointed aristocracy of activists or ideologues.

What Does Anglophone Unity Mean?

The phrase “Anglophone unity” is thrown around so often that it has lost meaning. To some, it means everyone agreeing with their preferred faction. To others, it means silencing dissent for the sake of appearance. But true unity is not uniformity. It is not blind allegiance. It is not ideological dictatorship.

Anglophone unity means recognising the shared historical experience of Ambazonia and aligning around collective interests rather than personal empires.

It means remembering that the people of the former British Southern Cameroons are bound by a unique political identity, regardless of tribe, class, education, or diaspora status. Unity acknowledges diversity but insists on dignity.

The Mythical Hierarchy: Super, Medium, and Lesser Anglophones

The unspoken hierarchy within Anglophone society deserves an honest description.

Super Anglophones believe that the struggle belongs to them. They claim historical authority, intellectual superiority, or divine calling. Their voices dominate discussions not because they were chosen but because they refuse to be ignored.

Medium Anglophones remain trapped between aspiration and hesitation. They often blame the Super Anglophones for bullying and the Lesser Anglophones for passivity. Their identity is defined by perpetual complaint and reluctant participation.

Lesser Anglophones, ironically, are the pillars upon which the entire identity rests. They are the people whose daily lives and sacrifices make the Anglophone struggle a lived reality. They contribute the most but are consulted the least. They are indispensable yet undervalued.

So What Makes an Anglophone Amongst Anglophones?

What distinguishes an Anglophone from another?

• Not the loudness of one’s voice.
• Not the sharpness of one’s ideology.
• Not the number of online followers.
• Not the depth of exile-based political theories.
• An Anglophone is defined by origin, history, and political inheritance.

The identity is rooted in the experience of the former British Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia. This is the foundation upon which all debates rest, whether acknowledged or ignored.

How Can Anglophones Reach a Middle Point Without Crushing One Another?

Finding a middle ground is not an impossibility. It simply requires:

1. Recognising Ambazonia as the political identity behind the term “Anglophone.”
2. Respecting the contributions and sacrifices of all categories; super, medium, and lesser.
3. Creating inclusive platforms where no voice is considered superior by default.
4. Prioritising collective goals over personal ambition.
5. Rebuilding trust through transparency rather than proclamations.
6. Valuing the perspectives of those on the ground more than those theorising from afar.

A middle point emerges naturally once ego is removed from leadership and identity politics.

We may end that

The term “Anglophone” does not describe a tribe, a dialect, or a social class. It describes a political identity rooted in the former British Southern Cameroons, Ambazonia. The confusion surrounding this term arises not from lack of clarity, but from the power struggles within the community itself.

To move forward, Anglophones must stop debating who is “more Anglophone” and start recognising the shared history that binds them. Unity requires honesty, humility, and recognition of the political reality: Anglophone means Ambazonian.

And Ambazonia belongs to all its people, not just the loudest among them. Refuting to recognise this historical truism makes you part of a problem arising from ignoring history.

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