Hon. Cabral Libii, presidential candidate and leader of the PCRN party, has presented a two-pronged solution to Cameroon’s ongoing Anglophone crisis. His approach, deeply rooted in history and the sociological structure of the country, calls for a federalist-inspired system of governance and a revival of the reunification ideals once championed by the country's founding nationalists.
Cabral Libii, Presidential hopeful
Cabral Libii emphasised that any meaningful solution to the crisis must address the underlying historical and cultural grievances that have long gone unrecognised.
“Cameroon is not made up of abstract individuals but of people who are real, living communities with their own identities and historical trajectories,” he says.
According to Cabral Libii, the first step towards resolving the Anglophone crisis is the restoration of local autonomy through a governance model he describes as a “federalism of peoples.” Unlike the two-state federation dissolved in 1972, this model would accommodate Cameroon’s diverse sociological and historical realities by empowering communities to manage their own affairs.
“What English-speaking Cameroonians are demanding is not new. It is a return to proximity-based governance. This is a legitimate aspiration that predates colonialism. Our communities have always had systems of self-management either monarchic, democratic, or otherwise and those roots should not be erased by an overly centralised state.” Cabral Libii explains
He added: “A power of proximity that acknowledges local identity is imperative. People cannot continue to depend on decisions made from afar about their daily lives. It is unrealistic to think we can build unity by stifling diversity.”
The PCRN strong man stresses that such a system would not divide the country but strengthen it by restoring trust in public institutions.
“Unity must be built by recognising and respecting our national communities, not by denying their unique identities,” he said.
The second solution proposed by Cabral Libii involves reviving the original vision of reunification held by Cameroonian nationalist figures such as Ruben Um Nyobe and Félix-Roland Moumié. He believes that the ideals expressed by these leaders before and after independence have been sidelined in favour of a homogenised state that fails to reflect Cameroon’s pluralism.
“The reunification our nationalist heroes fought for was not just geographical. It was a moral and political contract a desire to repair the injustice caused by the colonial division of Cameroon in 1916. That aspiration has never truly been fulfilled.” he notes
He recalled how Ruben Um Nyobe, speaking before the United Nations in 1952, clearly stated that reunification was essential for Cameroon’s independence.
“His message remains relevant. We cannot continue to build a nation while ignoring the foundations laid by our most courageous leaders,” Cabral Libii added.
Drawing from this legacy, Libii proposed a return to what he calls “Upecism” which is an ideological path inspired by the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC).
“Upecism is not about party politics. It’s about reclaiming the spirit of reconciliation, justice, and dignity that our heroes died for. It must inspire all Cameroonians, regardless of their political affiliation.” Cabral Libii emphasises
Throughout the notes, Cabral Libii is clear in his rejection of what he termed “temporary or emergency” solutions. He believes that the centralised model of governance has failed and that real peace will only come through systemic change.
Cabral Libii presidential hopeful flyers in circulation
“We cannot treat the Anglophone crisis as a technical error. It is a national wound that has exposed the deeper flaws in our governance. If we do not address the historical demands of our people, we risk reliving the same conflict under different names.”
Libii concludes by calling on all Cameroonians to revisit their shared history and reclaim the ideals of unity through justice.
“The deaths in the so-called Anglophone crisis should never have happened. If we truly wish to honour the sacrifices of our ancestors and heroes, then we must take bold and sincere steps towards a state that recognises and protects the dignity of all its peoples.” Cabral concludes
As the 2025 presidential election approaches, Cabral Libii’s proposals have added renewed urgency and clarity to national debates over identity, governance, and the path to lasting peace.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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