This issue of RISHS, entitled “Governance and Preservation of Social Cohesion in the Cultural Areas of Cameroon,” stems from the eponymous thematic panel held during the first edition of Cameroon’s National Week of Social Sciences and Humanities. It is worth recalling that the papers presented at this scientific conference were written within a socio-political context marked by the resurgence of tribalism and hatred, fueled by identity politics, posing an unprecedented threat to national unity. Cameroon’s distinctiveness compared to other African countries lies in its social cohesion, built around its ethnic characteristics, a complex cultural mosaic that serves as justification for its political instability and as a symbolic reference point on the international stage. Classical authors, such as Mamoudou Gazibo and Jane Jenson, indicate that challenges to the current governance model result from the failure to transplant the Western model of governance, a legacy of colonization. For John Lliffe, in fact, the pre-colonial African framework testifies to the historical use of traditional institutional mechanisms dedicated to the equitable redistribution and transparent management of community property.
The various contributions submitted to this collective publication address the ongoing debate surrounding contemporary governance within a pluralistic cultural environment. This study has several objectives. First, it aims to historicize the institutional paradigms and evolving governance practices in local cultural areas stemming from pre-colonial African societies, while also considering the realities and challenges posed by contemporary Cameroonian society. Second, it seeks to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of local governance and propose solutions to empower public authorities and civil society in promoting good governance.
