The Anglophone Crisis or war,  is still having devastating impacts on communities, the state, and particularly on individuals who are suffering both human and material losses. In the land of Bui Division and particularly in Mbam-Ngendzen village, the crisis has hit hard on nearly if not all households in this community by atrocities of the two protagonists. Many families especially my family, have lost beloved family members. The displacement of my beloved siblings and relatives including my parents.

It is 2019, and more than 24 families are homeless their houses consume by flames as a result of the crisis. Many families are losing their principal sources of income in the form of livestock and businesses as they are either killed, burnt, or are being taken by the protagonist. Community structures such as schools and health infrastructures are also put in flames by the protagonist. For the above reasons my siblings no longer go to school but are forced to relocate to nearby towns for schooling and get medical attention.

 This brings me back to 2019 when my peaceful and beautiful village has become a no-go zone. In this year, I am trying to reach out to my parents on the phone to no avail. This is because the network is being disconnected from my village. I’m worried and don’t know what to do. It is evening and I am entering the village forum to my greatest surprise, I see photos of my village in flames and ruins. I am not even able to recognize my quarter in the pictures because everywhere looks so dark with smoke.

According to the information I am getting from one of the villagers who can connect to another network, is that the houses are being burned by the state-armed group because they suspect our village to be the hiding place of the NSAG

“We are in the bush, hungry, stranded, and don’t even know where to go next,” says my mum to me on the phone. I have not been myself after hearing these words from my mum. I have been asking myself what my people have done to deserve this, when will this conflict end?

This is 2024, and my village is still scanty and empty, people cannot carry on with their daily activities effectively, schools are shut down, and businesses cannot run smoothly increasing the rate of poverty and illiteracy. When will this end?

• I want to take this opportunity to beacon on the Cameroonian government, the Non-State Armed Group, International and National organizations, NGOs, and CSOs that work on Human rights, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Resolution to look for ways to end the Anglophone Crisis.
• An all-inclusive, sincere, and honest dialogue should be organized to end the anglophone crisis. People are dying every day, the rate of the crime wave is increasing every day, and properties are destroyed every day all because of the crisis.

I am Gladys Litika a Peace Advocate