This paper is a comprehensive analysis of the Ambazonia Defense Forces (ADF), a militant organization fighting for an independent state in western Cameroon. The ADF is a significant player in the ongoing separatist movement in Cameroon, which has resulted in widespread destruction and put the nation's stability at risk. The paper aims to offer insight into the ADF's formation and ideology, as well as the counterterrorism efforts used against them.

The ADF was formed in September 2017, but its unifying grievances date back to the era of World War I. In 1916, Cameroon was taken over by Great Britain and France from Germany. France controlled most of the area, while Great Britain controlled a small western portion, resulting in an ethnic and power imbalance between the francophone majority and anglophone minority. Cameroon remains starkly divided between francophone and anglophone groups, with only 17% of the population being anglophone. Anglophone populations inhabit only two of Cameroon's ten regions, the Northwest and Southwest.

As a result, political power, resources, and wealth are concentrated among the francophone, leaving the anglophone minority marginalized with limited access to public jobs, documents published in English and English-speaking teachers. Anglophone areas also lack access to wealth and are underdeveloped as natural resources are exploited and controlled by the francophone. In 2016, anglophone-francophone tensions erupted in a protest movement that was violently suppressed by the state, triggering an anglophone separatist movement from which the ADF emerged.

The ADF is an ethnonationalist separatist militant group that employs terrorism as a tactic. The group is focused on an achievable goal of attaining independence from the Cameroonian state and establishing an anglophone state. The ADF organizes this movement around an ethnic and nationalistic identity, making it an ethnonationalist group. As part of Cameroon's anglophone population, the ADF's members speak English and share heavy British cultural influences. The founder of ADF, Lucas Cho Abaya, seeks to promote this common identity and called on all anglophones in Cameroon to defend themselves and their territory integrity.

To understand the ADF's role in the violence, it is vital to analyze counterterrorism efforts used against them. No country without a vested interest in the conflict has classified the ADF as a terrorist group. However, the Cameroonian government views it as such and has responded with force. The government has arrested and killed moderate protesters, leaving the anglophone cause to radical groups calling for an independent state for Cameroon's anglophone population. The Ambazonia Governing Council (AGC) was formed to promote the use of violence to gain independence, leading to the formation of the ADF as an armed wing dedicated to fighting for an anglophone state.

In conclusion, the ADF is a significant player in the ongoing separatist movement in Cameroon. Their formation and ideology are deeply rooted in Cameroon's colonial past, making them an ethnonationalist separatist militant group focused on achieving independence from the Cameroonian state and establishing an anglophone state. The proper understanding of the ADF and their role in the conflict requires analyzing their formation and ideology, as well as counterterrorism efforts used against them.

While the ADF is relatively new and still developing its structure, it appears to be centralized and bureaucratic in nature. Leaders like Lucas Ayaba and Benedict Kuah issue orders to battle commanders, indicating a clear hierarchy with Ayaba at the top, Kuah second, and General Efang and other commanders following. Within the battle commanders, hierarchy is less established, as individuals can rise in rank based on charisma and inspiration. Nonetheless, Ayaba remains a clear authority figure, issuing instructions to commanders through WhatsApp despite being in exile outside of Cameroon's borders. The ADF has a strict Code of Conduct that prohibits rape, extortion, torture, and killing of innocent civilians. The group also has departmental boundaries, with positions for managing financing and media coverage. WhatsApp serves as a reporting mechanism, suggesting that smaller cells lack the authority to operate autonomously and therefore lack a network structure. Despite its centralized and bureaucratic tendencies, the ADF's structure remains largely unknown and subject to change as the group evolves.

The ADF is fighting for the independence of the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, home to the anglophone population. The group aims to protect anglophone people from the Cameroonian government's force and make Ambazonia ungovernable. The group relies on guerilla tactics due to its small size and lack of resources, operating from small bases in rural areas and conducting quick strikes against targets before retreating. The ADF primarily targets government officials and military personnel, with kidnappings comprising the largest portion of attacks. The group refrains from killing civilians, with only two attacks targeting citizens.

It's important to note that as conflict continues, the ADF's structure and goals may change.

Efforts to Combat Terrorism

What measures have countries taken to combat this particular group of terrorists?

Has the implementation of these counterterrorism strategies yielded positive outcomes?

Given the various counterterrorism measures in place, what is the current status of the group in question?