Southwest Region (Cameroon)

The Southwest Region or South-West Region (French: Région du Sud-Ouest) is a region in Cameroon. Its capital is Buea.[2] As of 2015, its population was 1,553,320. Along with the Northwest Region, it is one of the two Anglophone (English-speaking) regions of Cameroon. Various Ambazonian nationalist and separatist factions regard the Sud-Ouest region as being distinct as a polity from Cameroon.[3]

The capital Buea from the foot of Mount Cameroon
Divisions of Southwest province
Southwest Region
Location of Southwest Region within Cameroon
Location of Southwest Region within Cameroon
CountryCameroon
CapitalBuea
DivisionsFako, Koupé-Manengouba, Lebialem, Manyu, Meme, Ndian, Wazani
Government
 • GovernorBernard Okalia B.
Area
 • Total25,410 km2 (9,810 sq mi)
Population
 (2015)
 • Total1,553,320
 • Density61/km2 (160/sq mi)
HDI (2017)0.599[1]
medium · 6th of 10

History

In 1884, the region was colonized by Germany under the Protectorate regime until 1916 when it became a condominium administered jointly by the United Kingdom and the France.[4] In 1919, the administration of the South West region became solely British. In 1961, the region joined Cameroon.[5]

Ambazonian separatism

At the end of 2017, an Ambazonian separatist movement in the two English-speaking regions of the North-West and South-West initiated a wave of violence affecting the military, police, business leaders and workers. The separatist militiamen are trying in particular to prevent children from returning to school. Between 2016 and 2019, separatists reportedly ransacked, destroyed or burned more than 174 schools[6] Separatists from the Ambazonia administration regard both the Nord-Ouest (Northwest) and Sud-Ouest (Southwest) regions as being constituent components of their envisaged breakaway state.[7]

Administration

The region is divided into seven divisions or departments: Fako, Koupé-Manengouba, Lebialem, Manyu, Meme, Wazani and Ndian. These are in turn broken down into subdivisions.[8] Presidentially appointed senior divisional officers (prefets) and subdivisional officers (sous-prefets) govern each respectively.

Map of Southwest

Geography

The region was notable for having the first English-speaking university in Cameroon (the University of Buea). Towns include the capital Buea, Limbe, Tiko, Kumba and Mamfe. Limbe in particular is a popular tourist resort notable for its fine beaches. Korup National Park is also a major attraction. Buea itself, meanwhile, sits at the foot of Mount Cameroon, and possesses an almost temperate climate markedly different from the rest of the province.

  • Thatched roof structures at the Limbe Beach
    Thatched roof structures at the Limbe Beach
  • View of Bota Beach
    View of Bota Beach
  • View of Semme Beach, Limbe
    View of Semme Beach, Limbe
  • View of Bioko Beach, Limbe
    View of Bioko Beach, Limbe
  • Tourist in Limbe Beach
    Tourist in Limbe Beach
  • Fishing Canoes in Down Beach, Limbe
    Fishing Canoes in Down Beach, Limbe
  • Limbe Beach with beautiful sandy shore
    Limbe Beach with beautiful sandy shore
  • Waterfall in Korup Park
    Waterfall in Korup Park
  • University of Buea Parking Space
    University of Buea Parking Space
  • View of Mount Cameroon from Sopo
    View of Mount Cameroon from Sopo
  • Administration Building, UB
    Administration Building, UB
  • View of Buea City
    View of Buea City
  • Extensive view of a Reunification Monument in Buea
    Extensive view of a Reunification Monument in Buea
  • Closer view of the Buea Reunification Monument
    Closer view of the Buea Reunification Monument

Culture

The province is largely Anglophone and Protestant Christian.[9]

  • Folk Dances

Common dishes in the region
  • Eru and Waterfufu
    Eru and Waterfufu
  • Fish barbecue and fried potato
    Fish barbecue and fried potato
  • Chicken barbecue at "48 spices", Buea
    Chicken barbecue at "48 spices", Buea
  • Jollof rice
    Jollof rice
  • Ndole and plantains with bobolo
    Ndole and plantains with bobolo
  • Koki mostly eaten by Barondo people
    Koki mostly eaten by Barondo people
  • Snails and rice
    Snails and rice

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1976620,515—    
1987838,042+2.77%
20051,316,079+2.54%
20151,553,320+1.67%
source:[10]

Healthcare

References
  1. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  2. "BUEA". cvuc.cm (in French). Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  3. Tatah-Mentan, I., and F. Achankeng. "Stopping war before it starts: testing preventive diplomacy in the selfdetermination case of British Southern Cameroons (aka Ambazonia)." British Southern Cameroons: Nationalism & Conflict in Postcolonial Africa (2014): 127-170.
  4. Emmanuel Mbah, Environment and Identity Politics in Colonial Africa: Fulani Migrations and Land Conflict, Taylor & Francis, UK, 2016, p. 20
  5. Emmanuel Mbah, Environment and Identity Politics in Colonial Africa: Fulani Migrations and Land Conflict, Taylor & Francis, UK, 2016, p. 21
  6. Philippe Karsenty, in Cameroon, causeur.fr, September 2, 2019
  7. Adepoju, Paul. "World Report Hospital attack in anglophone Cameroon kills four patients." (2019).
  8. "Région du Sud-Ouest". cvuc.cm (in French). Retrieved 2017-08-07.
  9. "Cameroon". www.state.gov. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  10. Cameroon: Administrative Division population statistics

4°10′N 9°14′E

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