MACRON acknowledges the FRENCH BRUTAL PAST IN CAMEROON
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has come face-to-face with the realities of France’s brutal colonial past in Cameroon, from 1945 to 1971, against nationalist movements. President Macron overtly acknowledged French repression in Cameroon. This is a historic moment in Franco-Cameroon relations as it opens the doors for a dissemination of our research findings to universities and research institutions in Cameroon, France and beyond.
In his acknowledgement letter, President Macron noted that “The Commission’s historians established that a war took place in Cameroon, during which French colonial authorities and Military forces committed various forms of violent repression in several regions of the country….” This vindicates us (the researchers) from critics who thought we were playing for the gallery.
It is worth noting that in January 2025, my team and I handed over a 1035-page report (Joint Franco-Cameroon Commission) to Presidents Biya and Macron. To carry out this research, we mobilised and reviewed:
– 1.100 boxes in archives (in Cameroon, France, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, the United States and Nigeria).
– 2. 300 declasified documents and other Private archives.
– Conducted about 100 interviews with relevant focal points and affected persons.
– Consulted and had copies of all available and related Master’s and PhD theses in Cameroon universities and beyond.
– All related published works were also consulted.
After going through all these documents, the result was clear, and responsibilities were assigned:
France conducted a serious war during the decolonisation process in Cameroon. The French army killed:
1) Isaac Nyobe Pandjock (June 17, 1958)
2) Reuben Um Nyobe (September 23, 1958)
3) Felix- Roland Moumie ( November 3, 1960)
4) Paul Momo (November 17, 1960)
5) Jeremie Ndelene (November 24, 1960)
6) About 7.500 nationalist fighters were killed along with thousands of civilians, excluding those who died in the bushes and forests.
France also provided the political, military, and financial support to the Cameroon government under Ahidjo in its fight against opposition in the post-independence era. The French were engaged in à polymorphic or diverse violence in Cameroon.
But of course, the government of Cameroon under Ahmadou Ahidjo shares some responsibilities. (Read the entire report if you can.)
I hope this team of researchers have contributed their small share to the historiography of Franco-Cameroon relations.
As researchers, we simply established the facts and figures. Politicians may now coin new policies by making use of our findings.
It was twenty months of back-to-back fieldwork.
I am glad to have been part of this great research team. I learned a lot in the process.
PROF. DZE-NGWA
MACRON acknowledges the FRENCH BRUTAL PAST IN CAMEROON
