French president admits to France’s repressive war during Cameroon independence struggle
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French President Emmanuel Macron has officially acknowledged that France led a violent war in Cameroon during the country's push for independence.
Macron Admits to France’s Violent Colonial War in Cameroon
French President Emmanuel Macron becomes the first leader to officially call France’s actions in Cameroon a “war” during the country’s struggle for independence.
A Historic Admission of Colonial Violence
In a rare and significant diplomatic gesture, French President Emmanuel Macron has formally acknowledged that France engaged in a repressive war in Cameroon during the country’s independence struggle. The admission was made public on Tuesday, drawing from a letter Macron wrote to Cameroonian President Paul Biya on 30 July.
This is the first time France has publicly described its colonial actions in Cameroon during that period as a “war”, marking a turning point in the country’s historical accountability.
Thousands of Cameroonians Killed
Macron’s statement follows the release of a joint historical report by French and Cameroonian historians presented earlier this year. The report concluded that French troops likely killed tens of thousands of Cameroonians between 1945 and 1971, targeting independence movements and civilian populations alike.
Acknowledging Executions and Massacres
Macron specifically acknowledged the murder of Ruben Um Nyobè, a leading figure in the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon, in 1958. He also admitted French responsibility for the Ekité massacre, where colonial forces killed dozens on 31 December 1956.
This public recognition adds Cameroon to a growing list of former colonies where France is now confronting its violent imperial legacy.
A Broader Reckoning With Colonial Past
Since taking office, Macron has shown an interest in addressing France’s historical wrongs. He has acknowledged France’s involvement in:
The 1944 Thiaroye massacre in Senegal,
Its role in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, and
Its brutal actions during the Algerian war of independence.
Macron’s latest admission adds Cameroon to that list and could open the door to further diplomatic discussions, reconciliation efforts, or calls for reparations from activists and civil society in both nations.
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