Emmanuel Macron has publicly acknowledged the violence committed by French forces in Cameroon during and after the country’s independence struggle from 1945 to 1971. A joint report by Cameroonian and French historians has detailed how France’s colonial authorities and army used severe repression, including mass killings, internment camps, and support for brutal militias, leading to tens of thousands of deaths. Macron named four independence leaders killed during French-led military operations and accepted France’s responsibility, but stopped short of offering an apology or addressing calls for reparations. Cameroonian responses have been mixed: some see acknowledgment as a positive step, while others say it is insufficient without concrete acts of justice. The report followed years of pressure for France to confront its colonial history, and Macron has taken similar steps regarding atrocities in Senegal, Rwanda, and Algeria, though often without formal apologies. The admission opens the door for further research and debate about France’s colonial legacy and reconciliation.
France: Macron admits violence against Cameroon independence movement
Written by David Fletcher 14 Aug 2025
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- Pray: that France, and other colonial nations, confront past injustices truthfully and work toward reconciliation and healing. (Micah 6:8)
- More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly39dd36epo
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