French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged France’s role in suppressing independence movements in Cameroon during its struggle for freedom. A joint report by Cameroonian and French historians found that French forces committed violence, including internment camps and militia support, to quash the movement. The report revealed tens of thousands of people were killed between 1956 and 1961.
Macron’s admission comes after pressure from Cameroonians seeking recognition and reparations for France’s past atrocities in its former colony. While Macron expressed willingness to work with Cameroon on further research, he fell short of offering a clear apology. Historians who contributed to the report said it was their job to establish facts, not recommend apologies or reparations.
The decision to investigate and publish the findings came after Macron’s visit to Yaoundé in 2022. The move has had mixed reactions among Cameroonians, with some expressing relief at recognition of France’s past actions, while others demand more concrete action, such as reparations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly39dd36epo