On May 26, 1990, Cameroon declared itself a multi-party democracy after 30 years of totalitarian rule. With 200 tribes and as many languages, a heritage of both British and French colonialism, and a clash between Christian and Muslim ideologies, the transition has not been easy: one month into its nascent democracy, Cameroon - where 70% of its people speak neither English nor French, the nation's official languages - found itself with 40 political parties.

In this survey, Bassek Ba Khobio looks at his country's political climate, and gathers the thoughts of Cameroonians from all backgrounds. Through their juxtaposed analyses, a revealing collage of the birth of a uniquely African democracy is presented.