Multiculturalism and Bilingualism: Current Challenges and Educational Solutions

Cameroon is a multicultural country with nearly 300 ethnic groups and three of Africa’s four language groups. It was colonised by France and England and became a united, bilingual state in 1972. Since 2016, it has been facing secessionist crises in the English-speaking regions. Despite the initiatives taken by the State to restore peace, national unity is still fragile. This study aims to analyse the issue of living together and examine the Anglophone crisis from an intercultural perspective in a cosmopolitan environment. This work highlights that Cameroonians identify with a colonial subject, and that the appropriation of Western culture has spread among young people to the detriment of national cultures. Cultural diversity is well accepted by individuals, at least superficially, but it is necessary to be able to decipher the cultural codes of the localities in which one finds oneself. Intercultural education appears to be a solution for restoring peace and social cohesion. The reform of the education system must be inclusive and comprehensive, involving higher education institutions that train managers and civil servants, as well as the guardians of traditions. The decentralisation process currently being implemented must be conducted in an inclusive manner to facilitate the involvement of various stakeholders in the development process and the implementation of intercultural education.