During a banquet at the state house in honour of the Indomitable Lions, champions of the African Cup of Nations Gabon 2017, President Paul Biya said all Cameroonians vibrated to the rhythm of the team’s exploits at the competition.

“From Yaounde to Douala, Bamenda to Bertoua, Garoua to Bafoussam, Maroua to Buea, Ngaoundere to Ebolowa, your resounding victory, which was won in grand style, brought Cameroonians great jubilation,” President Biya said rejoicing that the Lions conquered renowned football nations in Africa.

True, the victory was celebrated by Cameroonians in all the nooks and crannies as it was the first in fifteen years. Fans had lost support for the team due to more than a decade of poor performance.

To president Biya, unity, patriotism, determination and courage were reasons for the outstanding performance and these excellent victories of the Indomitable Lions in Gabon.

The government had high stakes the competition that was taking place in the wake of months of crisis in the North West and South West regions and Yaounde was certainly hoping to capitalise on the victory to preach national unity.

Protesters in the regions have been calling for a return to the federal system of government abandoned in 1972, with some calling for outright secession.

“The message you have conveyed is clear. Whether from the North or South, from the East or West, you are first and foremost Cameroonians. Whether your name is Moukandjo, Ondoa, Ngadeu, Aboubakar, Fai, Bassogog or Ndip Tambe, you are first and foremost Cameroonians; Cameroonians who love their country and are prepared to sacrifice all to fly its flag high,” the President said.

Football is considered a great unifying factor in Cameroon and observers are of the opinion that the 35years old Yaounde regime could be using the AFCON triumph as a temptation to dissuade the allegedly marginalised English speaking minority.

It is worth recalling that the same regime successfully side-tracked public attention from Bamenda when six people were killed at the launch of the SDF to the FIFA World Cup in Italy.

After calling back Roger Milla from international retirement to join the national team, President Biya also took off to Italy where TV channels repeatedly showed footages of him smiling from the tribune.

After their victory at the finals of the AFCON 2017 in Gabon, Indomitable Lions goalkeeper and Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, Fabrice Ondoa dedicated the team’s Gabon exploits to Bamenda (certainly referring to all Anglophones in the country who are always referred to as in Yaounde as “Les Bamenda”)

The Lions’ triumph however seemed to have calmed down the bitterness in protesting Anglophones, if one goes by media reports from Bamenda and Buea during the finals against Egypt and the fanfare that followed the victory.

Crowds turn out to cheer the team when Moukandjo and mates toured Yaounde after their Unity Palace reception, but there are fears the team may be treated to a rather disappointing welcome in Bamenda and Buea.

The nationwide tour of the golden trophy begins today in Bafoussam, chief town of the West region and the team is expected to storm Bamenda tomorrow. The trophy is supposed to be presented to South Westerners on Friday—eve of another major event; the Mt Cameroon Race of Hope.

Already, the interim leaders of the outlawed group that has been coordinating the protests in the regions has been calling for a boycott of the trophy.

Given that the population has been respecting a call to stay at home on Mondays and Tuesdays in respect of a ‘ghost towns operation,’ it would not be a surprise if they also heed to the call for a boycott of the AFCON trophy.

It is my wish however that parties involved in the strike that has grounded the justice and education sectors in the two regions look for better ways of seeking lasting solutions to the impasse.