France deployed extreme violence during Cameroon's independence struggle

In Cameroon, France's brutal tactics during the fight for independence in the late 1950s have come under scrutiny following a recent report. The study, commissioned as part of France's effort to confront its colonial past, reveals that the French government implemented policies that resulted in mass forced displacement of Cameroonians, pushed many into internment camps, and supported violent militias to suppress the independence movement. Conducted by a 14-person committee of historians from both France and Cameroon, the report examined declassified archives and eyewitness accounts to shed light on the dark period leading to Cameroon's independence on January 1, 1960. Following World War I, France took control of Cameroon after defeating Germany, which previously colonized the region. After World War II, a rise in anti-colonial sentiments fueled the movement for independence, leading to a violent response from France. Between 1956 and 1961, the conflict led to tens of thousands of deaths, and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. Despite the immense human cost, the war in Cameroon largely went unnoticed in France, overshadowed by the more publicized conflict in Algeria during its own struggle for independence. The study is part of a broader initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron to address the country’s colonial legacy. While some steps have been taken toward acknowledging the past and reconciling with former African colonies, critics argue that these measures fall short of genuine accountability. The report highlights that during the turbulent period, France not only repressed the independence movement but also maintained control over Cameroon’s post-independence governance, including drafting its constitution and establishing defense agreements that allowed French military presence in the country. As France continues to grapple with its historical role in Africa, the recent findings serve as a stark reminder of the colonial violence that shaped the relationships between France and its former colonies. With recent shifts in diplomatic ties and growing calls from African nations to reassess their relationships with France, the historical understanding of France's actions during the independence movements remains crucial in shaping contemporary discussions around sovereignty and identity in formerly colonized countries.