The Realities of National Integration in Cameroon

The political project initiated by the Germans in 1884 to merge the multiple ethnic entities in Cameroon into a modern civic nation-state was later impeded by Germany’s defeat in World War I leading to the partition of the territory into British and French spheres. This project was later revived by Cameroonian patriots culminating in the Reunification on October 1, 1961 thereby stressing their unity. Since then, the policy of national integration has been in force to bring together the various peoples who constitute the country. While others initially perceived this endeavour as a nine-day wonder conceived by architects who had taken a primrose path to ruin, some people remained unscathed, having crossed the Rubicon and burnt their ships. In the apparent uncertainty that has prevailed since then, it is necessary to establish the extent to which this policy has achieved its objectives. With the use of social science methodology, it has been discovered that living together has become a national mantra and is facilitated by acculturation, urbanization, ecumenism, bilingualism and sports. Although this policy which is inscribed in the constitution, other legal instruments, administrative structures and national emblems gained ground, its successful implementation has remained a long blinding mirage especially in the arena of partisan politics where more than 300 parties have segmented the country instead of uniting it.