National Dialogues as a peacebuilding tool in African conflicts: A critical analysis of the Cameroon Grand National Dialogue

National Dialogues as a peacebuilding tool in African conflicts: A critical analysis of the Cameroon Grand National Dialogue

Anslem Wongibeh Adunimay & Maureen Lifongo

Issue: Vol. 7 No.2 2026 Article 2 pp. 420 – 437
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026722| Published online 25th March 2026

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ABSTRACT

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.

Keywords: Cameroon Grand National Dialogue, Peacebuilding, Ambazonia Secessionist Movement, Political Recognition

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Dr. Anslem W. Adunimay is a peace and conflict researcher and fellow with the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a PhD and a master’s degree in politics and international relations, focusing on conflict resolution and peace studies, and a B.A. Hons in international relations from the University of Johannesburg, and a Bachelor’s in Law and Political Science from the University of Douala in Cameroon. Anslem has published and co-authored several book chapters and policy-relevant and academic papers in peer-reviewed and accredited journals and has participated in regional and international conferences and training programs. His analytical competencies and expertise are in conflict transformation and peacebuilding, and his research interests include political risk, African conflicts and cooperation dynamics, the politics of representation, post-conflict reconstruction, development, and sustainability, electoral politics and leadership in Africa, and migration and human security.

Dr Maureen N. Lifongo is a researcher and fellow in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She holds a PhD in Politics and International Relations, a Master’s degree in Politics, and an Honours degree in International Relations from North-West University, South Africa, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea, Cameroon. Her research focuses on electoral governance, regional organisations’ politics, gender, and democracy in Africa. She has published and co-authored journal articles and book chapters on topics including electoral governance, hybrid regimes, gender and democracy.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Adunimay, Anslem Wongibeh and Lifongo, Maureen. “National Dialogues as a Peacebuilding Tool in African Conflicts: A Critical Analysis of the Cameroon Grand National Dialogue.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.2 (2026): 420 – 437. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026722