A joint Franco-Cameroonian report has officially unveiled the reality of a French-backed war in Cameroon, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to issue a formal acknowledgment of his country’s role. The 1,035-page document details a brutal, decades-long repression of independence movements that had been largely ignored by Paris.
The commission of historians established that from 1945 to 1971, French colonial authorities engaged in widespread violence. After Cameroon’s 1960 independence, France continued to support the repressive government of Ahmadou Ahidjo in its crackdown on nationalist opposition, resulting in an estimated death toll of tens of thousands.
This acknowledgment is part of a broader, if slow, reckoning by France with its colonial past. It comes at a time of strained relations with several Francophone African nations, where historical grievances are fueling contemporary political movements. Macron’s gesture is seen as an attempt to address these long-simmering tensions.
While the admission has been welcomed, the lack of an apology or a commitment to reparations has drawn criticism. For many, including commission co-head Blick Bassy, the real work is yet to come. This includes honoring the victims, such as the assassinated leader Ruben Um Nyobè, through national mourning and ensuring their struggle is remembered.