Introducing Peace Education in Cameroon Schools: A Blueprint for Sustainable Development

Willibroad Dze-Ngwa (PhD)- Lecturer in Political History and International Relations
Department of History, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
Email: dzewing@yahoo.com
BP 8380, Yaounde 8  - Tel: (237) 77 65 93 65 / (237) 22 07 99 90

Abstract
The history of contemporary Africa is characterized by endemic conflict situations caused predominantly by various diversities.  The results have been the vicious cycle of instability, abuse of human freedoms, inadequate foreign investments, unemployment and the poverty situation in the entire continent. The Republic of Cameroon is Africa in miniature and consequently, a complex juxtaposition of the various diversities. With over 250 ethnic groups, about 268 national languages; three colonial experiences and with the already conflicting Anglo-Saxon and French legacies in the country since 1961, there is need to develop peace-building strategies to pre-empt any overt conflicts in the country. This is especially so because of the emergence of micro-nationalisms, inter-ethnic and regional conflicts among the various cleavages with even threats of secession, shaking the very foundation of the country’s unity. The situation became more worrisome with the reopening of political space in the early 1990s, when political parties in the country were ethnically based and ethnic rather than national loyalties prevailed.

 Despite government intension to maintain internal cohesion among the diverse peoples of Cameroon through her internal policy options of national unity and national integration, the increasing inter-ethnic and regional conflicts in the country are not going away. Interestingly, there is the quest for sustainable development in order to reduce the unemployment and poverty situation in the country.  This paper argues that in order to reduce conflicts, improve on internal cohesion and stability; improve on the human rights situation, encourage investments, sustainable development and reduce the poverty situation in the country, there is dire need to introduce peace and tolerance education in Cameroon schools and colleges.

Key Words: Peace, Education and Sustainable Development