Leadership at helm of State: Agbor Balla makes rallying call for Anglophones to speak with one voice.

The charge is the content of an opinion piece titled: “Anglophones Must Speak with One Voice: A Moment for Strategy, Not Silence!”

In the piece, Agbor Balla noted that at a time when Cameroon is debating constitutional reforms that may reshape the highest levels of executive power, one uncomfortable truth stands out: Anglophones are not speaking with one voice.

The Buea-based lawyer and President of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, was categorical that: “This is not just a concern. It is a strategic weakness”.

He regretted that for too long, the responsibility of articulating Anglophone concerns has been left to civil society actors, activists, journalists, and a few outspoken individuals. 

Agbor Balla, however, stated that: “While their role remains vital, it is not enough. A people cannot influence national direction if its voice is fragmented, uncoordinated, and inconsistent”.

For him, the real problem is absence of structure.

“What we lack is not leadership. What we lack is not legitimacy. What we lack is organization,” he said, noting that Anglophones in Cameroon do not function today as a coherent lobby or pressure group capable of shaping national outcomes.

“This responsibility cuts across all divides. This is not about CPDM, SDF, or any other political party. This is about a community that must rise above political, institutional, and personal differences to define and defend its place within the national framework,” he continued.

He added that: “This moment calls for collective responsibility from: Members of Parliament (across party lines), Mayors and Councilors, Presidents and Members of Regional Assemblies, The House of Chiefs and Traditional Authorities, Anglophone Ministers within government, religious leaders, Civil society, lawyers, academics, youth and women leaders”.

Each of the said actors, he insisted, carries legitimacy. He was quick to add that: “But legitimacy without coordination produces silence”.

Where is the common voice?

Agbor Balla mentioned in his open letter that: “We are currently witnessing discussions around the possible creation of the office of Vice President—one of the most significant institutional reforms in recent times. Yet, where is the collective Anglophone position? Where is the convergence of voices? Where is the strategy?”

He questioned that: “If such a moment does not bring us together, then when will?”

The former United Nations worker was blunt that: “If we continue on this path: Others will define the national agenda without us, our concerns will remain reactive, not strategic, opportunities for meaningful inclusion will be lost, fragmentation will continue to weaken our influence”. He was clear that without unity, there is no impact.

Call for coordination, not confrontation

Agbor Balla was explicit that his message is not a call for division but one for organization. He said it is “a call for Anglophone leaders across all sectors to convene, consult, and define a common position on critical national issues. Not as individuals. Not as political actors. But as a community with a shared stake in the future of Cameroon”.

Agbor Balla, however, rejoiced that there is a growing awareness that the said gap must be addressed but noted that awareness alone is not enough.

He said: “We must move from fragmentation to coordination,

from reaction to strategy, from isolated voices to collective influence. Because in today’s political reality, influence does not come from noise. It comes from organization, clarity, and unity. And until Anglophones learn to speak with one voice on defining national issues, our impact will remain limited—no matter how valid our concerns may be”.

This article was first published The Guardian Post Edition No:3756 of Friday April 10, 2026