The relationship between Anglophones’ attitudes towards the current form of state in Cameroon, support for independence, and support for a federation: an intergroup threat approach

Abstract

Since 2016, Cameroon has been experiencing what is perceived as the deadliest conflict in its history over the marginalization and Francophonization of Anglophones and a change in the form of state. This study adopts an intergroup threat approach to examine Anglophones’ attitudes towards the current form of state in Cameroon, and the extent to which it is related to support for independence and support for a federation. In a sample of 304 Anglophone Cameroonians, results show that Anglophones perceive the current form of state as a threat, and the perception of threat was found to be associated with negative/unfavorable attitudes towards the current form of state. In addition, this study finds that attitudes towards the current form of state in Cameroon is positively related to support for a federation but negatively related to support for independence. Implications and recommendations for further research are discussed as well.