FROM "GRAFFI" AND "BIAFRA" TO ONE CAMEROON: A CALL TO HEAL OUR NATION ...

FROM "GRAFFI" AND "BIAFRA" TO ONE CAMEROON: A CALL TO HEAL OUR NATION 

(By Dr. David Makongo)

Over the past few days, many Cameroonians have witnessed the painful exchange of insults between two prominent young Cameroonians, Prince Agbo Gilbert and CY. What began as a personal disagreement quickly evolved into something far more dangerous. Words such as "Graffi" and "Biafra" were weaponized, reopening old wounds and provoking a social media confrontation between sons and daughters of the North West and South West Regions.

For many, this appeared to be another online quarrel. I saw something much bigger.

I saw an opportunity to confront a problem that has quietly held our nation hostage for decades.

Rather than choose sides, I chose dialogue. I reached out to Honourable Ngalla Gerald, whose name had also surfaced during the exchanges. Our discussion was respectful, sincere and focused on one objective: peace. Without hesitation, he embraced the spirit of reconciliation, agreed that unity must prevail, and graciously provided me with CY's contact.

I then spoke separately with the parties involved.

Each conversation was guided by one simple principle: no Cameroonian should become an enemy because of where he or she comes from.

I am pleased to announce that the discussions were positive. There was humility. There was understanding. There was forgiveness. Most importantly, there was a shared willingness to put Cameroon before pride.

Today, I respectfully call upon Prince Agbo Gilbert and CY to let every hurtful word remain in the past, to honour each other's dignity, and to jointly encourage everyone who supported either side to bury the hatchet. Let this be remembered not as the day insults won, but as the day reconciliation prevailed.

This disagreement exposed a much deeper national challenge.

For generations, we have been encouraged to think as North Westerners or South Westerners before thinking as Cameroonians; as Francophones or Anglophones before citizens; as East or West before one people. We have been drawn into endless political and ideological battles while our youth, our economy and our future stood still.

Too often, division has become a political industry. Communities are divided, tensions rise, and the same political class presents itself as the solution to crises that division itself sustains. Meanwhile, ordinary Cameroonians continue to wait for the development, justice and opportunity they deserve.

We have fought for parties. We have fought for ideologies. We have fought colonial identities and inherited divisions. Yet too many of these struggles have enriched a few while leaving the majority exactly where they started.

History reminds us of an important truth.

Before colonial borders. Before Germany. Before Britain. Before France. Before the League of Nations. Before the United Nations Trusteeship system.

There were people.

There was land.

There were communities.

There were values.

There was coexistence.

We must never allow inherited divisions to become stronger than our shared destiny.

This is why I believe that what happened between Gilbert and CY should not be remembered as a scandal, but as a turning point. Perhaps God allowed this moment to expose a national wound that dialogue, humility and forgiveness could finally begin to heal.

I extend my sincere appreciation to Honourable Ngalla Gerald, CY, and Prince Agbo Gilbert for making time to engage in honest conversations and for embracing reconciliation. I also thank everyone who helped locate contacts, made calming phone calls, published responsible messages, and worked quietly behind the scenes to restore peace.

This is the Cameroon we must build.

A Cameroon where no child is taught to hate another because of origin.

A Cameroon where no citizen is politically useful only when divided.

A Cameroon where opportunity belongs to merit, not regional identity.

A Cameroon where unity is not demanded by force but embraced by conviction.

Let us retire the language of "Graffi", "Biafra", "Anglophone", "Francophone", "East Cameroon", and "West Cameroon" as weapons against one another.

Let us embrace a higher identity.

One People. One Nation. One Future. One Cameroon.

When every Cameroonian feels that this country belongs equally to all, no one will need to fight for recognition. We will all be fighting together for the prosperity, dignity and future of our common home.

One Cameroon is not merely a slogan. It is the foundation upon which lasting peace, national cohesion and genuine development must stand.