Understanding Confusion in Africa: The Politics of Multiculturalism and Nation-building in Cameroon

Abstract

Cameroon is often considered to be Africaís legendary pathfinder. This book argues essentially that Cameroon cannot competently champion African unity and progress until it can correctly pursue its own multicultural nation-building. Cameroon's success continental-wise would depend on its theory and practice of multiculturalism, as particularly reflected in (1) the rejoicing in its historical diversity and the harmonious co-existence of its Systems of Education which must, of necessity, be linked to (2) effective federalization or decentralization of uniquely cultural matters. Critically examining history and education as components of culture, and therefore, of multiculturalism, the book makes some bold recommendations while demonstrating how nation-building is meaningless without the peopleís authentic history. It argues that Cameroon national culture cannot be a national culture without embodying the distinct culture of the Englishlish-speaking minority. Anything else is nothing but deliberate confusion of assimilation for multiculturalism, a confusion that is heavily tied to the countryís phoney independence. Hinging on education (and its associates of bilingualism and bijuralism), the book demonstrates that Cameroonís over-sung cultural dualism is a charade, epitomized by the 1998 Education Law. Rather than reaffirm Cameroonís biculturalism as it superficially avows, Cameroonís purported cultural dualism is really out to efface any semblance of cultural or educational dualism that may still be resisting assimilation. The continuous and persistent employment of terms such as biculturalism, bilingualism and bijuralism in legal texts in Cameroon is only to confuse the international community, especially from seeing exactly the kind of ëethnic cleansingí which is taking place in the country.