Macron acknowledges French war and violence in Cameroon during decolonization

Friday 12 September 2025 - 09:00

By: Sahili Aya

Macron acknowledges French war and violence in Cameroon during decolonization

French President Emmanuel Macron has officially acknowledged that France waged a “war” in Cameroon against insurgent movements before and after the country’s independence in 1960. The use of the term “war,” absent from official narratives until now, signals a new step in Macron’s effort to bring transparency to France’s colonial past.

In a letter addressed to his Cameroonian counterpart Paul Biya, made public on Tuesday, Macron accepted France’s responsibility in the events. He endorsed the findings of a report by historians, delivered earlier this year, which concluded that French colonial authorities and the army carried out widespread repressive violence during the conflict.

The report highlights that the fighting, concentrated in southern and western Cameroon between 1956 and 1961, resulted in “tens of thousands of victims.” It also stresses that independence in January 1960 did not mark a clear break with colonial structures, as France continued to support the authoritarian regime of President Ahmadou Ahidjo, who relied on French advisors and administrators.

Macron emphasized that the war extended beyond independence, with France backing operations led by Cameroonian authorities. He also pledged to make French archives more accessible and encouraged the creation of a joint working group to advance historical research. Specific episodes, such as the massacre in Ekité in December 1956 and the killings of independence leaders Ruben Um Nyobè and others, were cited as examples of the violence.

This recognition follows Macron’s earlier initiatives on France’s role in Rwanda and Algeria, part of his broader policy of confronting the colonial past. While he has resisted formal apologies, Macron underlined the importance of memory work to strengthen Franco-Cameroonian relations, especially between civil societies and younger generations.

The acknowledgment comes at a sensitive time, as President Paul Biya, in power since 1982, has announced his candidacy for an eighth term in the October 2025 elections, amid mounting political tensions.