National Dialogues as a peacebuilding tool in African conflicts
A critical analysis of the Cameroon Grand National Dialogue
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22257408 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Respect Mlambo (0000-0002-0348-6726, University of Johannesburg), Maureen Namondo Lifongo (University of Johannesburg), Maureen Lifongo (0000-0002-1882-0934, University of Johannesburg) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 420 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-25 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | E-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2720-7722 • E-ISSN: 2720-7722 |
| Publisher | Noyam Publishers (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.38159/ehass.2026722 |
| OpenAlex | W7140328922 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 9 |
National dialogues have emerged as key instruments in Africa’s peace-building arsenal, designed to foster inclusive political settlements in protracted conflicts. This paper critically examines the 2019 Cameroon Grand National Dialogue (GND) as a case study to assess the effectiveness of national dialogues in resolving entrenched conflicts in both the Northwest and Southwest regions of the country. Convened by President Paul Biya in response to the Anglophone crisis, the GND sought to address issues of governance, cultural identity, peace, security, national unity, and decentralization by bringing together different stakeholders within the country. Employing a qualitative analytical approach, the study draws on secondary data from official records, media reports, speeches, civil society reports, and scholarly critiques to argue that while the GND represented a critical peacebuilding effort, its limitations, especially regarding inclusivity and implementation, have constrained its impact. Despite producing several resolutions, including special status for the Anglophone regions and reintegration of ex-combatants, the dialogue was marked by notable exclusions, particularly the absence of key separatist factions and limited civil society participation. This exclusion has been linked to ongoing violence and deep mistrust among conflict actors. The findings emphasize the necessity of genuinely representative dialogues backed by strong political will to achieve sustainable peace. This case contributes to broader debates on the role and design of national dialogues in conflict resolution across Africa
Civil society · Conflict resolution · Decentralization · Human settlement · Latin Americans · Peacebuilding · Political violence · Politics · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Global Political and Social Dynamics · Global Politics and Economy
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |