Analyze/Preserving unity in diversity is a long-term task that concerns both senior State officials and the lowest strata of society. If indeed we come from diverse backgrounds, we all belong to the same Territory whose riches we must promote through a way of life that respects the culture of others and the peaceful search for the resolution of all forms of conflict in an environment where everyone is called upon to express their discontent and their aspirations for a more equitable society on all levels so as to no longer witness or even continue to gradually dissipate tribal impulses that have nothing to do with a nationalist spirit.
But just as the search for and preservation of unity requires constant efforts, the nationalist spirit as a pre-eminence of the interests of the Nation over those of the individual is not a given. It is a permanent quest for a better identity and better integration which involves respect for the culture of others and the implementation of concrete measures allowing their social integration within a society or of a people from which he does not originate but to which he belongs by essence because there is a single Cameroonian Territory for several or even hundreds of tribes which are not above the Nation or the whole which constitutes this one and the same Territory, but who participate in its construction and improvement in a world threatened as much by racist and tribal impulses as by xenophobia.
Cohabitation with others who, like Us, are called to live peacefully in the same space as Us is very often threatened by stereotypical points of view resulting from past experiences and other beliefs which constitute obstacles to national cohesion. In Cameroon, apart from isolated and unfortunate cases which sometimes result from misunderstandings, or a proven desire not to cohabit with others because they come from another tribe, the nationalist spirit as also being a desire to live peacefully together despite differences on the same Territory while permanently seeking a way to better integrate others in a space from which they do not originate for the greater good of the Nation is a reality. Furthermore, in a cultural context with ethnic plurality the other will always represent a wealth that we have in common. In other words, as some people said during a national festive event: “our diversity is our identity.” We cannot therefore tell a Cameroonian that he is not a Cameroonian because he belongs to a particular tribe. He represents what We are. It is one of the multiple aspects of a plural culture. One of the postcards of a continent miniaturized into a single Territory. Indeed, we are Cameroonian before being from this tribe or that. The nationalist spirit comes before the tribal spirit which is called upon to work reasonably for a national interest. In other words, the tribal spirit is a firm conviction of having a singular identity called to embrace the nationalist values of a Nation-State. And what are these values? It is about peace, patriotism, honesty, solidarity, social inclusion and fraternity. This presupposes a nationalism of consumption which we specify focusing particularly ourselves on the Cameroonian context is the consumption of dishes and products coming from elsewhere and not only those which are mainly known as being local dishes because in a Territory with ethnic plurality, everyone is called to flourish and realize itself everywhere. And this spirit of nationalism or integration, and multiculturality or social inclusion and acceptance of the other as a full member of the Nation predisposes to the rational management of conflicts.
“Cultural diversity promotes inclusion and social cohesion. » Not everything that is generally produced in a Region originates from that Region. The Kola nut or cola for example, which is sold in the Sahel, generally grows in a forest environment. Cultivating, consuming and marketing what is usually cultivated and consumed elsewhere is also a sign of national unity which denotes a true nationalist spirit.
Also read : Cultural diversity : factor of inclusion and national cohesion in Cameroon
Living together is a concept that goes beyond the stage of tolerance. To tolerate is to be indulgent. In an environment with ethnic plurality we are called upon to go beyond the stage of tolerance and not simply live with others out of constraint. Interculturality presupposes the overcoming of tolerance which is not a sign of joy of living together but a necessary step to build a real desire to cohabit together peacefully in a Territory where all nationals of the multiple Regions of this geographical context share the same ancestors and are called to have a nationalist spirit or openness which allows all "foreigners" to feel comfortable and not feel like they are in foreign or enemies territory. Respecting the culture of others means doing everything possible so that wherever they come from, they are comfortable with Us.
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