05/05/2026
Anglophone Exclusion Sparks Outcry Over SOCADEL Board Appointments
Yaoundé, Cameroon
A recent presidential decree restructuring Cameroon’s electricity sector and establishing the state-owned company SOCADEL has triggered sharp criticism, following the announcement of its Board of Directors—none of whom are reportedly from the country’s Anglophone regions.
Prominent human rights lawyer Nkongho Felix Agbor, widely known as Agbor Balla, has publicly condemned the appointments, warning that the continued exclusion of Anglophones from key national institutions reflects a
“deeper and persistent problem” in the country’s governance.
“How is it possible that not a single Anglophone is represented?” he asked. “This is not an oversight but a reflection of a deeper and persistent problem.”
Cameroon’s unique historical foundation—stemming from the union of former British Southern Cameroons and French Cameroun—has long required delicate balancing in governance.
For many, this latest development raises concerns about whether that balance is being maintained.
Agbor Balla emphasized the importance of equitable representation, stating:
“Cameroon was built on the coming together of two peoples… That historical reality demands not only recognition, but fair and equitable representation in national institutions.”
The absence of Anglophones in SOCADEL’s leadership has reignited broader frustrations about marginalization. In a pointed critique, he questioned the silence of key figures from Anglophone regions:
“Where are our leaders? Where are our elites, our traditional authorities, our parliamentarians, our senators, our ministers?
Where is the Prime Minister?”
He warned that inaction in such moments carries consequences:
“Silence in the face of such imbalance is not neutrality—it is complicity.”
Government officials have often argued that appointments are made in the national interest, with officeholders serving all citizens regardless of background. However, Agbor Balla challenged this position, noting that lived realities tell a different story:
“We are often told that those appointed serve the entire nation. That may be true in principle. But in practice, representation matters. Equity matters. Inclusion matters.”
He further cautioned that persistent exclusion risks deepening divisions:
“When a people are consistently absent from decision-making spaces, it sends a clear and dangerous message.”
The lawyer also expressed frustration at what he described as a pattern of dismissing Anglophone grievances:
“We are tired of being told that raising these concerns is ‘complaining.’ We are tired of being expected to remain silent in the face of systemic exclusion.”
In a stark warning, he added:
“If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.”
Agbor Balla did not spare Anglophone leaders from criticism, expressing disappointment at what he described as their failure to speak out:
“I feel deeply disappointed in our leaders. At critical moments, when our people expect representation and courage, we are met with silence.”
As the newly appointed board prepares to convene—tasked with selecting its chair and senior executives—he called for immediate corrective action:
“There is still an opportunity to correct this imbalance. Those involved must act with a sense of fairness, responsibility, and national cohesion.”
He concluded with a call to action directed at Anglophone representatives:
“This is a moment… to speak. To engage. To demand fairness. To truly represent the people who entrusted them with leadership.”
The controversy surrounding SOCADEL’s board composition comes at a sensitive time for Cameroon, where longstanding grievances in the Anglophone regions continue to shape political discourse. For many observers, the coming days will test whether authorities are willing to address concerns of inclusion—or risk further alienating the people of Southern Cameroons.
