Cameroon’s civil war has weaponized education, denying rights to hundreds of thousands of students and leading to psychological and physical harm. The crisis began due to protests against institutional impositions on English-speaking regions but escalated into violence. Both sides of the conflict must recognize the detrimental effects on education and take action to restore learning environments.
Since 2017, a severe civil war in Cameroon has weaponized education, depriving students of their right to learn. This conflict has taken thousands of lives and halted education for hundreds of thousands. Both conflicting parties need to reflect on the damaging choice of using education as a war tactic, as nobody benefits in such a scenario.
The anglophone crisis initiated in October 2016 when lawyers protested against the appointment of French-speaking magistrates in English-speaking regions. They argued that these officials lacked proficiency in English and an understanding of Common Law. Teachers soon joined the protests, urging for English-speaking educators to work in their communities and against the imposition of a foreign educational system.
Instead of addressing these valid concerns, the government responded violently, resulting in numerous casualties among peaceful protesters. This fueled the anger of English-speaking students and communities, who felt increasingly marginalized. The subsequent formation of separatist groups aimed at achieving independence for Ambazonia led to ongoing armed conflict.
According to the United Nations, over 700,000 students have experienced disrupted education since the onset of the crisis. Consequently, an entire generation faces an uncertain future with limited opportunities due to ongoing violence and instability. Both the separatists and government are complicit in this educational crisis, leading to closures of schools and hindering children’s access to learning.
Children in these regions encounter dire choices: continuing their education puts them at risk of violent consequences from separatists, while staying at home leaves them vulnerable to a bleak future. Reports indicated that only about 10% of schools were operational during the 2018/2019 academic year, with the majority of teachers fleeing due to threats.
As of early 2025, efforts to reopen schools in safer areas are underway, but violence continues to hinder progress. Many children in the anglophone regions face poverty and malnutrition, often being forced into labor or recruited by armed groups due to lack of education. The resulting psychological trauma affects their long-term well-being.
The devastating impact of Cameroon’s civil war is evident in the loss of educational opportunities for its youth and the trauma they endure. Both government forces and separatists must recognize the futility of using education as a weapon. Immediate action is necessary to restore safe learning environments, support affected students and educators, and prevent further harm to the future generation.
Original Source: allafrica.com
