Understanding Inter-Community Conflicts among the Ejagham of the South West Region of Cameroon 1961-2016

The study investigates the causes of intercommunity conflicts between Ejagham villages in the South West Region of Cameroon from 1961 to 2016. It argues that, intercommunity conflicts amongst Ejagham Cameroon villages were orchestrated by varied economic transformations in the area. Within a span of sixty years, the Ejagham area has witnessed more than 50 inter community conflicts. These conflicts began manifesting as early as 1961 and have continued till date intersecting with the current Anglophone crisis in the area rendering the situation very complex. While many have blamed these occurrences on discrimination and false claims, some clung tenaciously to leftover effects of colonization as key drivers to these conflicts. Using a historical research method with a qualitative design, the study upholds that, Ejagham inter-community conflicts were provoked by varying economic transformations that occurred in the area after independence. Its findings revealed that, increase in demography and the transformation of farming systems from subsistence to cash crop led to a high demand for farm land by many indigenes. Furthermore, changing economic value of land, high demand for non-timber forest products and the establishment of border markets in the main border communities of Ekok and Otu also resulted to high competition and antagonisms among the people. The post 2016 era presents a very complex conflict phenomenon due to the Anglophone grievances that degenerated into a crisis in 2016.

Conflict, Communities, Relations and Economic activities.

1. Achankeng I. F., (2013), “Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Engaging the Colonial Factor”, African Journal on Conflict Resolution, Vol.13, no. 2, 11-38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Agbor V. M., (2002), “The Management and Conservation of the Ejagham Forest Reserve”, The University of Yaoundé 1 (ENS): DIPES II Dissertation in Geography. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Akinsanni, O., ((1975), Certificate Agricultural Science, London: Longman Group Ltd. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Atom, V. N., (2020), “Intra-Ethnic Conflicts among the Ejagham in Cameroon and Nigeria 1884-2015: A Historical Assessment”, The University of Yaoundé 1: PhD Thesis in History. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Atom, V. N., (2022), “Integrating Traditional Conflict Resolution Mechanisms in Trans-Border Conflicts among the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria”, Pantikar Journal of History, Vol.8 no.1., 83-103. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Atom, V. N., (2022), “The Creation of Border Zones and the Rise of Petty Trading among Immigrants on the Southern Crescent of the Cameroon-Nigeria Boundary 1965 To 2015”, African Humanities, Revue des Sciences Sociales/Journal of Social Sciences, vol.7, 94-111. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Bate, G. N., (2008), “Population and Economy of Eyumojock: A Border Sub Division”, The University of Yaoundé 1: Maitrise Dissertation in Geography. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Bate, G. N., (2010), “Eyumojock: A Border Sub Division of Cameroon, its Interchange Relationship with Nigeria”, The University of Yaoundé 1: Masters Dissertation in Geography. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. BUCREP, 3eme RGPH, (2005), Répertoire Actualise des Villages du Cameroun. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Broche, J. and Elfversson, E., (2023), “Communal Conflict, Civil War and the State: Complexities, Connections and the Case of Sudan”, African Journal on Conflict Resolution, vol.23 no.1, 33-60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Creswell, John W., (2009), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Los Angeles: Sage. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Enow, E. C., (2009), “The Cameroon-Nigeria Parallel Trade along the Manyu Trade Axis in Cameroon”, The University of Yaoundé 1, (ENS): DIPES II Dissertation in History. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Fanso, V. G., (1982), “Trans frontier Relations and Resistance to Cameroon Nigeria Colonial Boundaries 1916-1945” The University of Yaoundé: Doctorat d’Etat Thesis in History. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Flint, K. and Teboh, B. A., (2012), “Impacts of Globalization on Health, Food security and Biomedicine in Africa”, in Emmanuel M. Mbah and Steven J. Salm (eds), Globalization and the African Experience, North Carolina, Durham: Carolina Academic Press, 167-188. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Gray, S. and Roos, J., (2012), “Pride, Conflict and Complexity: Applying Dynamical Systems Theory to Understand Local Conflicts in South Sudan”, African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Durban, 1-22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Home, R., (2001), “Towards a Pro-Poor Land Law in Sub Saharan Africa” in Robert Home (eds), Essays in African Land Law, Cape Town: University Law Press (PULP), 22-36 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Mbah, E. M., (2008), Land/Boundary Conflicts in Africa, the Case of the Former British Colonial Bamenda, Present day North West Province of the Republic of Cameroon, 1916-1996, New York: the Edwin Mellen Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Mbah, E. M., (2009), “Disruptive Colonial Boundaries and Attempts to Resolve Land/Boundary Disputes in the Grasslands of Bamenda, Cameroon”, African Journal on Conflict Resolution, vol. 9, No 3. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Mbah, E. M., (2021), “Globalization and African Conflict”, in Emmanuel M. Mbah and Steven J. Salm, (eds), Globalization and the African Experience, North Carolina, Durham: Carolina Academic Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Mbah P, and Nwangwu, C., (2014), “Sub Ethnic Identity and Conflict in Nigeria: The Policy Option for the Resolution of Conflict between Ezza and Ezillo in Ebonyi State”, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol.5, no.2, 681-688. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. NAB, File, No.O.1545 Co-operation between Nigeria and Cameroon, October, 1965. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Nji, P. M. and Engwali, F. D., (2019), “Farmer Organisation in the Northwest Region of Cameroon: Actual State of Affairs”, International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, Vol.6, No.2,13-26. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Oamah I. T., (2006), “The Effects of Population Growth in Nigeria”, Journal of Applied Science, Vol 6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Okokon, J. C., (2008), Ethnography of African Societies, Sub Saharan Region, Calabar: University of Calabar Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Onor, S. O., (1994), The Ejagham Nation in the Cross-River Region of Nigeria, Ibadan: Kraft Books, Limited. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Otite, O., (1999), “On Conflicts, their Resolution, Transformation and Management” in Onugi Otite and I. Olawale Albert (eds) Community Conflicts in Nigeria: Management, Resolution and Transformation, Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited, 1-23. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Otite, O. and Oniongwo, (1979), W., An Introduction to Sociological Studies, Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books (Nig)Ltd. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Roschenthaler, U., (2011), Purchasing Culture, The Dissemination of Associations in the Cross River Region of Cameroon and Nigeria, Trenton: Africa World Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. SDAFE, Ordinance No.65 of 1936. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. SDAFE, Annual Report on the Ejagham Forest Reserve, January-July 1949. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. SDAFE, Ejagham Reserve Public Notice No.231 of 1953. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Sills, D.L., (eds), (1968), International Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences (3 vols), USA: The Macmillan Company and the Free Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Sone, P. M., (2012), “Conflicts Over Land Ownership: The Case of Farmers and Cattle Grazers in the North West Region of Cameroon”, African Journal on Conflict Resolution, vol.12 no.1, 83-102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Tumenta, B. F., Amungwa, F. A. and Nformi, M. I., (2021), “Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Rural Development in the era of Globalization in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon”, Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Vol. 13, no.1, 68-81. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Wily, L. A., (2011), Whose Land Is It? The Status of Customary Land Tenure in Cameroon, Yaoundé: Centre for Environment and Development. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Zartman, I. W., (1985), Ripe for Resolution, Conflict and Intervention in Africa, New York: Oxford University Press, 1985. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study