Revisiting the over 100 years France-Cameroon ties

Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, France invaded Cameroon from French Equatorial Africa while Britain invaded from Nigeria.

During the partition, France was granted Lion’s share of the country as Britain sought to boost the latter’s morale in the ongoing war in Europe.

The south, British Cameroon, decided to unite with the former French Cameroun, creating the Federal Republic of Cameroon in February 1961.

This came after French Cameroon was granted independence, with Ahmadou Ahidjo as the first president in the year 1960.

The latter pledged to build a capitalist economy and maintain close ties to France.

Both countries have since then established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. A relation which according to the Cameroon government has been “Dynamic, diversified and constantly evolving,”

Both Countries share Bilateral cooperation in multiple domains including Education, Health, Governance, Environment, Culture, and Infrastructure, just to mention a few.

During a press conference on May 27, 2022, at the unity palace in Yaounde, Centre Region of Cameroon, Christophe  Guilhou, French Ambassador in Cameroon praised what he considered the long-standing, cordial, and fruitful cooperation ties of both countries.

“Cameroon is still a friend of France and France is still a friend of Cameroon. We have a very substantial cooperation. The idea is to foster even more cooperation and friendship between Cameroon and France” he stated.

However, many Cameroonians have perceived the relationship as a neo-colonial relationship, on the basis that Cameroon’s policies appear to be moderated and dictated by France.

Another issue, being the Immigration policy for Ex-colonists has been a bone of contention to most Cameroonians. Those who successfully get to France are subjected to increasingly stringent measures.

The visit of the French president, Emmanuel Macron to Cameroon is however expected to address issues such as the Anglophone crisis, succession, constitutional review, power rotation, Boko Haram, and Increasing food and fuel prices, just to mention a few.

By Amina Hilda

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