Dear compatriots, dear brothers and sisters of the North,
It is crucial to understand the complex dynamics that underpin identity and intercommunal relations in the Grand North of Cameroon, especially as we approach the 2025 presidential election. The idea that the Fulani are a monolithic and dominant entity is a dangerous oversimplification that ignores the region’s historical and sociological realities.
“Fulani-ness”: A Social and Historical Construction, Not an Ethnic Homogeneity
Far from being a single, homogenous tribe, the group identified as “Fulani” in the Grand North is the result of a long process of interaction, intermixing, and cultural assimilation. Historically, Fulani migration waves entered a region already inhabited by various indigenous communities (Mafa, Kapsiki, Guidar, Mousgoum, Massa, Toupouri, etc.). Over the centuries, interethnic marriages, religious conversions (especially to Islam, often spread by the Fulani), and the adoption of lifestyles and languages gave rise to a complex mosaic.
Today, many individuals who identify as Fulani have ancestors from these various northern communities. “Fulani-ness” has therefore become more of a cultural and linguistic identity (centered around the Fulfulde language) than a pure genealogical lineage. Saying that the Fulani are “a combination of all tribes from the North of Cameroon” is not an exaggeration, but a recognition of this historical and demographic reality. The current Fulani elite, for instance, includes descendants of a wide range of backgrounds.
The Shared Destiny of Northerners: A Necessity for Stability
Attempting to pit the “other tribes” against the Fulani is a dangerous political strategy that seeks to exploit potential resentments for electoral gain. Such division is deeply harmful for several reasons:
- Social Fragmentation: It breeds discord and mistrust and can potentially lead to conflict, undermining the peaceful coexistence needed for the region’s development.
- Political Weakening: By dividing themselves, the communities of the North lose political leverage and their collective capacity to defend their interests at the national level. Unity is strength.
- Developmental Setback: Stability is the sine qua non of economic and social development. Intercommunal tensions discourage investment and paralyze progress.
The destiny of all Northerners—whether they identify as Fulani or from another community—is intrinsically linked. They face the same challenges (security, economic development, access to basic services) and share the same opportunities. The prosperity of one depends on the stability and collaboration of all.
The CPDM: A Choice for Stability and National Unity
In this context of attempted division, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) positions itself as a guardian of stability and national unity. Its inclusive approach—integrating all components of Cameroonian society, regardless of ethnic or religious origin—is essential to preventing identity-based drift.
The CPDM, as the ruling party, has consistently emphasized social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. In the face of today’s challenges, where divisive rhetoric threatens the social fabric, the peace and stability championed by the CPDM stands out as the best choice for preserving Cameroon’s unity. A vision that transcends communal divisions is indispensable for a prosperous and harmonious future, both for the Grand North and for the entire country.
Dr. Likiby Boubakar
