AN ASSESSMENT OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES USED BY POLITICAL PARTIES IN RESOLVING INTRA-PARTY CONFLICT IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Without a doubt, in the vast majority of democracies throughout the globe, political parties have continued to be vital and essential instruments in the process of establishing democracy. Democratic societies rely on them because of the catalytic nature of political parties; they mediate between the people and the government, keeping the democratic principles in place. The very nature of political parties as institutions—consisting of people with divergent ideologies and interests—and as venues for the selection of candidates for public office ensures that they will inevitably be the sites of heated debate. While political parties are often described as a "medium for aggregating interests and opinions within a polity.

According to  Adekeye (2017), the reality is that in liberal democracies, the personalities of political parties are continually molded and transformed by the recurrent conflicts that occur within them. To rephrase, in a free democracy, political parties' operational infrastructures include conflict in all its forms and manifestations. Disagreements inside political parties are common and have the potential to spark larger problems, such the ethnic tensions in  developing democracies. The majority of armed groups' romantic relationships with political leaders (politicians) occur during election seasons (Allen & Okolo, 2018).  According to Umani (2023) in diverse societies, intra-party conflicts often reflect underlying tensions related to ethnicity, religion, or regional identity (Chandra, 2004). Political parties may become vehicles for competing ethno-nationalist agendas, exacerbating social cleavages and hindering consensus-building efforts (Reilly, 2001). Thus individuals within a group or party are more likely to prioritize their own interests above those of the group in order to satisfy their own needs, which may lead to conflicts based on emotional connections and personalities. 

In recent times, it has been noted that numerous political parties in Cameroon face challenges in implementing an inclusive system that not only enables party members to engage in decision-making but also provides them with limited opportunities to run for elections on the party's platform (Cohen, 2015). One might argue that this socio-political limitation is dangerous and has caused hostility and party-switching in several political parties in Cameroon. Cameroon's election procedures have often been marred by accusations of fraud, voter coercion, and conflicts between political factions. Although there have been attempts to change electoral rules and institutions, there are still difficulties in guaranteeing elections that are open, unbiased, and equitable (Njoya, 2019).  According to Umani (2023) in diverse societies, intra-party conflicts often reflect underlying tensions related to ethnicity, religion, or regional identity (Chandra, 2004). Political parties may become vehicles for competing ethno-nationalist agendas, exacerbating social cleavages and hindering consensus-building efforts (Reilly, 2001). Thus individuals within a group or party are more likely to prioritize their own interests above those of the group in order to satisfy their own needs, which may lead to conflicts based on emotional connections and personalities. 

On the other hand, Yahaya and Ibrahim (2015), it is not stage that in many developing nations that when many members of the same political party are deeply divided over competing or incompatible agendas, this becomes intraparty conflict. A proliferation of political parties further limits political space, since many disputes culminate in litigation with win-lose results that do nothing to foster internal party democracy (Nnamani, 2018). Hence parties are under no need to pursue ADR as a means of resolving disagreements and conflicts among the parties themselves. Political parties may include domestic civil mediation into their constitutions and activities with the help of the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, which has given the required legal framework.

1.2 Statement of the problem

A major obstacle to good leadership and political stability in Cameroon, as in many democracies, is intra-party strife. In a study by Nshom (2018), the country's political organizations frequently fail to work together as a coherent unit due to internal disagreements, even though the system is multiparty and there are many different groups representing different interests. Consequently,  Ndoumbe, (2017) averred that since disagreements inside political parties over ideology, power battles, or individual goals have far-reaching effects for the country's democratic procedures and leadership, it is necessary is that individuals involved find methods that can be used by Cameroon's political parties to handle disputes inside their own ranks have not been well studied or understood. 

Conversely, Ndang, (2020) mentioned that although disputes inside political parties are unavoidable in every democratic system, when these disputes are not effectively managed and resolved, party structures weaken, and public faith in politics declines. In addition, if disputes within parties continue, it might lead to higher levels of political tension, make it harder to execute policies, and maybe even undermine the country's democratic institutions (Fonjong, 2016). 

Consequently, it is important to study the dynamics of intra-party disputes in Cameroon and determine what factors contribute to them and as well evaluate the efficacy of current solutions for conflict management inside political parties. Although existing studies has touched on th the causes and effect of intra party conflict, there is limited study on strategies adopted by parties to resolve their differences. This research aims to fill these gaps in knowledge about intra-party conflicts and offer insights that can help political parties create more effective conflict resolution mechanisms. Hence, the study assess conflict management strategies used by political parties in resolving intra-party conflict in Cameroon.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to assess  conflict management strategies used by political parties in resolving intra-party conflict in Cameroon. The specific objectives is as follows

Assess the level of intra-party conflicts among members of a political party in Cameroon

Identify the types of intra-party conflicts among members of a political party in Cameroon

Analyze the conflict management strategies used by political parties in resolving intra-party conflict in Cameroon

Ascertain the effectiveness of various conflict management strategies employed by political parties in Cameroon to address intra-party conflicts.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared for the following

What is the level of intra-party conflicts among members of a political party in Cameroon?

What are the types of intra-party conflicts among members of a political party in Cameroon?

What is the conflict management strategies used by political parties in resolving intra-party conflict in Cameroon?

How effective is the various conflict management strategies employed by political parties in Cameroon to address intra-party conflicts?

1.5 Significance of the study

By identifying and analyzing the conflict management strategies used by political parties, this research can provide valuable insights for policymakers, party leaders, and organizational stakeholders. Understanding which strategies are effective and why can inform the development of better policies and practices for managing intra-party conflicts, thereby enhancing the functioning of political parties and the democratic process as a whole.

Empirically, the study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focuses on women contributions to the political system of Cameroon. Empirically, the study will assess the level of intra-party conflicts among members of a political party in Cameroon, identify the types of intra-party conflicts among members of a political party in Cameroon, analyze the conflict management strategies used by political parties in resolving intra-party conflict in Cameroon and ascertain the effectiveness of various conflict management strategies employed by political parties in Cameroon to address intra-party conflicts.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 Definition of terms

Intra-party Conflict: Refers to disagreements, disputes, or tensions that arise within a political party among its members, leaders, or factions. These conflicts can emerge due to differences in ideology, strategy, leadership style, personal ambitions, or other factors, and may manifest in various forms such as factionalism, power struggles, or policy disagreements.

Conflict Management Strategies: Refers to the methods, approaches, or techniques used by political parties to address and resolve intra-party conflicts. These strategies may include negotiation, mediation, consensus-building, power-sharing, conflict avoidance, or coercion, among others. The effectiveness of these strategies can vary depending on the nature of the conflict, the context, and the parties involved.

Political Parties: Organizations that seek to influence government policy and compete for political power through the electoral process