Lekunze, Manu;
Page, Ben;
(2023)
Security in Cameroon: a growing risk of persistent insurgency.
Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue canadienne des études africaines
, 57
(1)
pp. 219-236.
10.1080/00083968.2022.2120507.
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Abstract
What is Cameroon’s current security situation, and how is it likely to change in the future? Cameroon faces internal insurgencies, conflicts in neighbouring states and an impending power transition. In this commentary we provide a holistic account of the security issues facing Cameroon, drawing particular attention to five recent trends: the decline of rural governance; a shift in the pattern of ethnic competition; a reduced government capacity; the negative consequences of coup-proofing; and an emerging multipolar international system undermining Cameroon’s diplomatic strategy. Contrary to accounts that highlight the risk of general civil war, we argue that Cameroon’s government retains sufficient “national power” to prevent the centre’s collapse. However, we see a heightened risk of persistent insurgencies outside the centre due to multiple grievances and weak counterinsurgency capability. The contradictions of past security policy can no longer be overcome.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Security in Cameroon: a growing risk of persistent insurgency |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00083968.2022.2120507 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1080/00083968.2022.2120507 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | National security, insurgency, stability, Cameroon, Africa |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of Geography |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10163131 |
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