Cameroon and the Dynamics of Francophone-Anglophone Diplomacy in the African Union (2000-2023)

Abstract

This article explores how Cameroon’s bilingual identity has influenced its diplomatic strategies within the African Union (AU) from 2000 to 2023. Positioned uniquely at the intersection of Francophone and Anglophone Africa, Cameroon utilizes its dual colonial heritage to navigate and mediate linguistic and political tensions that frequently divide AU member states. The study argues that Cameroon’s bilingualism serves not only as a symbol of internal cohesion but also as a strategic asset in regional diplomacy. Employing a qualitative methodology, the article draws on official AU communiqués, summit resolutions, Cameroonian foreign policy archives, presidential speeches, parliamentary records, and press releases from the Ministry of External Relations. It analyzes Cameroon’s contributions to AU peace and security initiatives, debates on institutional reform, and coalition-building across language lines. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on bilingualism as a diplomatic resource an angle often neglected in analyses of Cameroonian foreign policy and African multilateralism. The article further considers how domestic linguistic tensions, particularly the Anglophone crisis, affect Cameroon’s regional legitimacy. Ultimately, it offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between language, identity, and diplomacy in postcolonial African institutions.